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sports1924

Figure skating at the 1924 Winter Olympics — 1924 edition of the figure skating competitions during the Olympic Winter Games

January 1, 1924

Figure skating at the 1924 Winter Olympics marked the sport's first appearance at a dedicated Winter Games, held across three events in Chamonix.

Quick Facts

Year
1924
Category
sports

Key Facts

Dates held
29 to 31 January 1924
Venue
Stade Olympique, Chamonix
Events contested
3 (men's singles, ladies' singles, pairs)
Rink shape
Square (last-minute change from rectangular)
Title defender
Gillis Grafström successfully defended 1920 men's title
Prior Olympic appearances
1908 and 1920 Summer Olympics

By the Numbers

29
Dates held
3
Events contested
1,920
Title defender
1,908
Prior Olympic appearances

Location

Map of Chamonix, FranceMap of Chamonix, FranceChamonix, France

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Figure skating had been contested at the 1908 and 1920 Summer Olympics, establishing it as an established Olympic discipline. When the International Olympic Committee organised the first dedicated Winter Olympic Games at Chamonix in 1924, figure skating was naturally included as one of the core sports on the programme.

Event

Three figure skating events — men's singles, ladies' singles, and pair skating — were held at the Stade Olympique in Chamonix from 29 to 31 January 1924. A last-minute decision changed the rink from a rectangular to a square shape, forcing competitors to adapt their free skating programmes accordingly. Gillis Grafström retained his Olympic men's singles title from 1920.

Consequence

The inclusion of figure skating at Chamonix helped establish the event as a centrepiece of the Winter Olympics. The logistical difficulty caused by the square rink highlighted the need for standardised competition facilities at future Games, contributing to the development of regulated ice rink specifications for international competition.

Result

Men's singles: Gillis Grafström

at Stade Olympique, Chamonix, France

First figure skating competition at a dedicated Winter Olympic Games

Timeline Context

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