Figure skating set apart at Olympic Games by music, creativity
One of these sports is not like the other
CBC Analyst and three-time Olympian Kurt Browning explains why sometimes a skater's biggest competitor is themselves, and how that pressure-cooker environment makes the sport so fascinating to watch. Faster Higher Stronger presented by Bell.
Anybody else out there remember Sesame Street?
There used to be a musical segment that challenged young viewers, telling them that "one of these things is not like the other." It was typically four kids, three doing the same stuff but the fourth kid is off doing their own thing.
At the Olympics, figure skating is that fourth kid.
We all know the Olympic motto is Faster, Higher, Stronger. Maybe figure skating should also include Flashier, Showier, Glitzier.
Why, you ask? Well, have you seen figure skating?
No other Olympic sport incorporates such individualism, showmanship and creativity like skating does — and it's all because we've added some tunes. Humans react instinctively to music. Couple that with the beautiful flow and rhythm created by dancing on the ice, and you have the perfect recipe for an emotional connection.
Hooked yet?
Music sets the stage
When I competed at the Olympics, I was not alone on the ice.
OK. I was technically alone, competing in the men's singles event. But the story, music and emotions of Casablanca accompanied me onto the ice. I had a head start in drawing the audience into my skating story.
Although I was without other cast members or a set, I had a stage — albeit a dangerously slippery one — and Casablanca was a huge help in connecting with the audience. That connection will be the goal for skaters in these Olympics to get noticed and grab skating fans' attention. And yes, that includes the judges.
The judges are also fans. They too want to get swept away by the music, stories, daring tricks and vulnerability of the skaters.
WATCH l Kurt Browning breaks down the quad jump:
Choosing music is a journey of creativity, imagination and courage, full of experimentation, unexpected growth, and emotional risk.
Yes, risk! Imagine having to justify every choice you make in your sport.
For skaters, that often starts with the daunting task of choosing music. Should you choose classical music or contemporary? A soundtrack with a storyline? Should you join different pieces together to create something new? Will anybody like what you've ultimately chosen?
Of course, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. Sometimes, the music search is surprisingly obvious and easy. But, as a rule, creating a program is a long journey of self-exploration.
Then after all that time, effort and money, you may get to the competition only to find that your biggest competitor unbelievably took the same exact path — only they look better in their outfit than you do in yours!
That actually happened at an Olympics. Debi Thomas and Katarina Witt arrived in Calgary in 1988, both having selected music from Georges Bizet's opera Carmen. The showdown between the American and East German was dubbed "Battle of the Carmens."
The opponent within
Since figure skating is a sport of comparison, having a strong sense of self-worth is very handy. Knowing yourself helps you trust yourself, out on the lonely piece of ice in front of millions of viewers.
Speaking of comparison, how about we wander down that path a bit: imagine the puck drops to start the gold medal hockey game at the Olympics. You are strong, fit, your team is ready and you can read your teammates' minds. Whatever happens, you are prepared.
In figure skating, because you already know your program, one might assume that this knowledge makes the whole thing easier. After all, you know what is coming, there are no unexpected moves from opponents forcing you to alter your game. You know exactly what to do and how to do it, and you have burned your routine into your mind, body and soul.
Now, you simply need to push the play button and execute, right?
But by knowing what is coming, you also know exactly where things might go wrong. Technical landmines ready to explode.
Sleep on that for months and months. It's pretty easy to overthink it and unconsciously change the timing of your jumps or the rhythm with your partner. Suddenly, with all the pressure, everything that feels normal slips away, and the moment is gone. Paralysis by analysis.
Hooked on skating now? And we didn't even get into those pesky quad jumps that are necessary if you even want a glimpse of the podium.
So, ease onto the couch, have the tissues ready and hug your pillow because the figure skaters are coming — and they'll be pulling hard on your heart strings. I will be holding my breath while I enjoy all the figure skating: the sport that is "doin' their own thing" at these Olympics.