The crisp scrape of the ice. The brisk snap of the air. Left skate, right skate. Spin. Jump. Watching glimmering leotards glide around with such grace, you wonder about the years of training that these women have endured. How many hours has each spent on the rink learning to contort their bodies on the ultimate slippery surface. Although it may seem perfect, Olympic Figure skating has come to be about far more than athletic talent.
Just a few weeks ago, Margot Robbie allowed so many of us a peek behind the curtain in I, Tonya. In the depiction of Tonya Harding’s struggles with abuse, Axels, and allegations, we also learn about the inner politics of Olympic Figure skating. Harding, it is revealed, suffered from her inability to fit into the “ideal American family” narrative to which U.S. Figure Skating has clung so desperately. It turned out it did not matter to the judges that she could land a triple Axel, for she did so in a home-made costume, a messy ponytail, and with lots of sass.
In pitting Harding against Nancy Kerrigan, a skater who fit so neatly into the mold, the media helped to perpetuate the stereotypes of proper female figure skaters as polite and obedient. Waving and smiling, Olympic figure skaters are taught to bow carefully to the judges and the audience. Kerrigan became a beloved American character, as many Olympic athletes do. But was she lovable for her skill, or for her conformity on our screen?
Deeper than the short costumes and sequins, we are cheering for humans with an immense gift. They are athletes and artists. The expectations that suffocate them limit their abilities to embrace their latter identity. Instead of an outlet for self-expression, figure skating has grown to become an avenue for duplication.
It is without a doubt that competitive figure skaters want to win. The media tells us of their trials and triumphs, injuries and tears, all with such enthusiasm. Harding held as an example, not all competitors have a fair chance. In order to succeed, figure skaters must follow the others before them. Skate in the same circles, smile into the same crowds, and speak to the same news sources.
Take note of the skater’s costumes that get shorter and tighter with each performance. Makeup more extravagant and hair-styles more elaborate. More and more deference to her coaches, parents, and especially, her judges. She may seem strong and at her happiest on the ice. The happiness is a smile plastered on her face as she moves about to choreography and music picked by someone else. Her performance, it turns out, is nothing but that.
As we gear up for the Winter Olympics, keep an eye out for women’s figure skating. In each number, search for a glimmer of rebellion. Give extra notice to that offbeat music selection or that edgy costume. Applaud the athleticism, and try to find the artist. Reel her out of the performance and give her some extra praise. It will not matter who places first and who places eighth, for we will all be looking for who is the most authentic on the ice. One day, the judges may follow your lead too.