SMT Oasis From Radius 3

Sports Offered

Figure Skating

Figure skating is one of the few judged Special Olympics sports. Special Olympics figure skating features singles and pairs jumps, lifts and many feats of strength and precision. Ice dancers concentrate on interpreting the rhythm and tempo of music through dance steps on the ice.

Athletes can also participate in Unified Sports® Ice Dancing and Pairs events. Special Olympics Unified Sports® is a program that combines Special Olympics athletes and athletes without intellectual disabilities (partners) on sports teams for training and competition.

A Unified ice dancing or Unified pairs team would consist of one Special Olympics athlete and one partner. Note that for Unified Sports figure skating training and competition, it is preferred that the pair be of similar age; it is required that the pair possess similar skating ability.

As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender.

Figure Skating Facts

Special Olympics figure skating was first included in the 1977 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
The 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games hosted 160 athletes representing 16 countries in the sport of figure skating.
Figure skating was contested at the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.
There are currently two delegations offering athletes the opportunity to train and compete in figure skating. They are the Parade Skaters of Minneapolis and the Luverne Public Schools team.
Figure skating participation at the state level has grown from three skaters in 1995 to 16 skaters in 2006. For more information on the figure skating program or Winter Games, contact Pam Bergerson.

Special Olympics Minnesota Figure Skating Events

Singles Competitions (Singles Levels 1-6)

Pair Skating (Pair Levels 1-2)

Ice Dancing (Levels 1-4; All ice dancing competitions may be skated solo or may be skated by a dance team comprised of two Special Olympics athletes, one male and one female, two females or two males)

Guest Skater Dance (Levels 1-4)

The following event provides meaningful competition for athletes with lower ability levels:

Badge Skills Contest

Sports Rules

National Governing Body: International Skating Union (ISU)

Special Olympics Incorporated: Figure Skating Rules (updated January 2008)

Other Resources

Figure Skating Coaches Training Schools

Figure Skating Coach Recertification Test


		© 2010 Special Olympics Minnesota 612-333-0999 • 800-783-7732 info@somn.org