Picture alliance/picture alliance/Getty ImagesĪt the fast-approaching 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, which begin on Feb. In fact, you might even say the rule expansion has made the sport better, as skaters can choose the exact mood and expression they want their performances to convey. However, the transition seems to have gone incredibly smoothly so far. It could be assumed that non-lyrical, classical music allows for more attention to be put on the skater and their technical form, since they are the ones having to narrate the story they're telling. I’m afraid people are going to attempt it poorly.” Figure skating coach Kori Ade also spoke with the NYT about her thoughts on the new rule, saying, “I think that there is something so regal about skating that might not carry with Top 40. On the flip side, some feared that increased use of lyrical music would scare off the already established fan base. “Our sport is already losing viewers, but we have to give people the desire to watch us.” Katia Krier, a coach for France's figure skating team, told The New York Times in 2014 that she viewed this change as an inclusive way of drawing in a broader audience. Many hoped that incorporating lyrics within the routines would lead to increased public interest. Despite its large audience at the Winter Olympics, figure skating has begun losing viewership over the past few years. While it appears that many figure skaters are taking advantage of this new allowance, the ruling caused some mixed opinions among the public back when it was introduced. Other music choices in PyeongChang included an Elvis medley and songs by Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, Snow Patrol, Adele, and more. For example, Team USA skater Adam Rippon skated to “O” by Coldplay, and USA pairs team Alex and Maia Shubutani to “Paradise” by Coldplay. The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics were the first Winter Games to exhibit the rule change, showcasing quite a few different figure skating routines under the new rule. While many competitors still opt for traditional classical music, the option to include lyrical music opened up doors to incorporate more genres into the skaters' performances. Since then, the option has been available for athletes if they so choose. The decision was ultimately reached in 2012, but the union decided not to let the change take effect until the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics had finished. Then, in 2014, the International Skating Union announced that they would allow music with lyrics to play during figure skating competitions, in an attempt to appeal to a younger audience. Still, the lyric-free rule tended to keep skaters within a specific, often antiquated performance aesthetic. Since its Olympic beginnings at the 1908 London Games, figure skating rules only allowed classical, non-lyrical music to be used (with the exception of the ice dance event) - think Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons, Autumn,” Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” and Bizet’s “Carmen.”Īs figure skating entered the ‘80s and ‘90s, some skaters began to branch out to film and theater soundtracks - such as Tara Lipinski's iconic 1998 Olympic performance in Nagano, which included an instrumental song from the Anastasia soundtrack. History Of Ice Skating Music At The OlympicsĪmin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images For all you need to know about the history of figure skating music and where things stand now, read on. When it comes to ice skating music, the sport has recently transformed - many would say for the better. However, things have since changed, and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing are just the second Winter Games to allow lyrical songs. Traditionally, skaters were only allowed to perform their programs to classical or instrumental versions of songs during their routines. The rules and regulations set by the International Skating Union (ISU), the international governing body for competitive ice skating, prohibited using music with lyrics in competitions. You may never have realized it, but up until the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, figure skaters never skated to songs with lyrics in them - and this definitely wasn’t accidental. However, when it comes to the official rules, Olympic figure skating music has had quite a rigid history. And for many, it’s the carefully chosen songs that really make those flying leaps and mid-air twirls so impressive. What is it that makes figure skating so thrilling to watch? From graceful movements to amazing stunts, figure skating is the oldest sport in the Winter Olympic Games and one of the most popular.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |