CGTN Sports Scene has released the latest episode of its special series "One minute One Sport" with the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics less than two weeks away. In this one, let's take a closer look at figure skating.

Athletic excellence meets artistic expression in figure skating which combines strength, precision, and creativity on ice.

Skaters perform a carefully designed program set to music while showcasing jumps, spins, footwork, and complex lifts and synchronized movements. Success in figure skating depends not only on technical difficulty and clean execution, but also on musical interpretation, balance, and emotional impact, making it one of the most expressive events in winter sport.

The sport originated from the 18th century in Europe, where skating was practiced on frozen canals and lakes, particularly in the Netherlands and Great Britain. Then during the 19th century, advances in blade design and training methods enabled skaters to perform while transforming figure skating into a more dynamic and athletic sport.

Figure skating first appeared at the 1908 London Summer Olympics and again in 1920 in Antwerp. Four years later, the sport became a core event at the inaugural Winter Olympics in 1924 in Chamonix and has remained on the Olympic program since then.

Today, Olympic figure skating features men's singles, women's singles, pairs, and ice dance. Its blend of technical innovation, dramatic competition, and artistic storytelling continues to define the elegance and emotional appeal of the Winter Games.