Terry McDermott, who won the only gold medal for the United States at the 1964 Winter Olympics and then appeared with the Beatles during their American television debut, has died. He was 82.
The next Heiden? American Stolz a speedskating star at 18
March 9, 2023 GMTComing off an unprecedented performance at the world championships, 18-year-old Jordan Stolz is already facing the inevitable comparisons to the greatest speedskater of them all.
Olympic ice dancers Hawayek and Baker withdraw from worlds
February 24, 2023 GMTCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Olympic ice dancers Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean Luc Baker withdrew Friday from figure skating’s world championships as they continue to prioritize “their healing and mental health.”
Chock and Bates win ice dance at Four Continents
February 12, 2023 GMTCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Madison Chock and Evan Bates delivered the season-best free dance they needed to edge Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Nkolaj Sorensen and win the ice dance at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships on Sunday.
Chock and Bates lead at Four Continents figure skating
February 11, 2023 GMTMadison Chock and Evan Bates began preparing for the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships even before they were crowned U.S. ice dance champions for the fourth time in their careers.
Kim leads Levito at Four Continents skating championships
February 10, 2023 GMTYelim Kim breezed through a near-flawless short program to build the slimmest of leads over 15-year-old American Isabeau Levito on Thursday night at the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships.
Putin honors skating coach in Valieva Olympic case
February 6, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded figure skating coach Eteri Tutberidze one of the country's highest honors Monday, nearly a year after a doping case involving one of her skaters overshadowed the Winter Olympics.
US Figure Skating blasts delay in awarding of Beijing medals
February 2, 2023 GMTU.S. Figure Skating has largely taken the high road when it comes to allegations of Russian doping at last year's Beijing Olympics, which have left its team without any sort of medal after finishing second nearly a year ago.
Malinin leads U.S. men by 10 on Day 2 of skating nationals
January 28, 2023 GMTSAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The new leading man of U.S. figure skating is here, and he's impossible to ignore. That doesn't mean the old guard is going away quietly.
Rising star Ilia Malinin scored a personal-best 110.36 in the men's short program to kick off the second day of the U.S.
Organizers for 2026 Olympics seeking new speedskating venue
January 22, 2023 GMTMILAN (AP) — Speedskating for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics might be moved to the Turin oval or a temporary facility elsewhere after the IOC rejected plans to build an expensive roof over the outdoor track at Baselga di Piné.
Ice dancers Hawayek and Baker withdraw from nationals
January 17, 2023 GMTCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Olympic ice dancers Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean Luc Baker withdrew Tuesday from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships because of a series of injuries over the past 18 months that they said led to challenges with their mental health.
Tracy Marek becomes 1st female CEO of US Figure Skating
December 8, 2022 GMTLongtime sports executive Tracy Marek will take over as the head of U.S. Figure Skating in January, becoming the first female chief executive in the 101-year history of the national governing body.
Deep US figure skating team eyes medals at Grand Prix Final
December 7, 2022 GMTThere is a unique flavor to the return of the Grand Prix Final, arguably the most prestigious event in figure skating after the Olympics and world championships, following two years of pandemic-related cancellations.
Shibutani siblings elected to US Figure Skating Hall of Fame
December 2, 2022 GMTCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Olympic ice dancers Maia and Alex Shibutani along with Paul E. George, who served as the director of the U.S. Olympic Committee, were elected to the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame on Thursday.
Shoma Uno defends men’s title at NHK Trophy
November 20, 2022 GMTSAPPORO, Japan (AP) — Japan's Shoma Uno defended his men's title at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating’s NHK Trophy, scoring a season best free skate and total score to beat compatriot Sota Yamamoto.
Olympic ice dance champion Gorshkov dies at 76
November 17, 2022 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Alexander Gorshkov, who won the first ice dance gold medal at the 1976 Olympics and later became a leading official in Russian figure skating, has died. He was 76.
The Russian Figure Skating Federation said in a statement on Thursday that Gorshkov "died suddenly” without giving further details.
2026 Olympic speedskating oval to get $50 million roof
November 8, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — Another expensive venue for t he 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics has been approved, with a 50-million euro ($50-million) project slated to place a roof over the outdoor speedkating oval in Baselga di Piné.
Malinin’s quad axel lifts 17-year-old to Skate America title
October 23, 2022 GMTIlia Malinin wasn't sure whether he would unveil his quad axel, the hardest jump in figure skating that only he had landed in competition, after a fourth-place short program left him playing catchup at Skate America.
Russian agency won’t publish doping verdict in Valieva case
October 21, 2022 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — The Russian Anti-Doping Agency will treat the Kamila Valieva doping case which shook figure skating at the Winter Olympics as confidential and won't publish a verdict.
Valieva won Olympic gold in the team competition before finding out she tested positive for a banned substance before the Beijing Games.
Malinin headlines Grand Prix opener at Skate America
October 20, 2022 GMTThe new face of American figure skating began to play around with the quadruple axel, that unicorn of a jump that had never been landed in competition, when he started to see some of the sport's best give it a go about a year ago.
What goes around comes around: Roller skating’s retro appeal
October 19, 2022 GMTAt a nondescript, basketball court in Waltham, Massachusetts, the leaves take on an autumnal glow and the air is crisp. But there are no pickup basketball players. This is now a spot for people who roller skate.
US figure skaters still await medals from Beijing Games
October 19, 2022 GMTEvery once in a while, Nathan Chen and the rest of the American figure skaters who finished second in the team event at the Beijing Olympics will get on a group chat and catch up on everything happening in their lives.
Boston set to host 2025 figure skating world championships
October 12, 2022 GMTThe International Skating Union awarded the 2025 world figure skating championships to Boston on Wednesday, giving the U.S. the opportunity to host the last worlds before the Winter Olympics the following year in Milan.
Parents of figure skater Namiotka say she died in July at 32
October 7, 2022 GMTBridget Namiotka, a figure skater who accused her late pairs skating partner John Coughlin of sexual abuse, died in July at the age of 32, her parents told USA Today.
World champs Kneirim and Frazier to compete at Skate America
July 22, 2022 GMTCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — World pairs champions Alex Knierim and Brandon Frazier will begin their figure skating season at Skate America in late October, where 15-year-old world junior champ Isabeau Levito also will be making her highly anticipated Grand Prix debut.
Britain to host figure skating Grand Prix event for 1st time
July 21, 2022 GMTLAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Britain will host a figure skating Grand Prix event for the first time after the International Skating Union awarded it an event that China relinquished amid concerns over the coronavirus.
Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu stepping away from competitive skating
July 19, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan is stepping away from competitive figure skating, he said Tuesday.
Hanyu seemed to leave the door open to a possible return of some sort.
Finland to host figure skating Grand Prix instead of Russia
July 14, 2022 GMTLAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Finland will host a round of the figure skating Grand Prix series which was removed from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, the International Skating Union said on Thursday.
AP Exclusive: New skate blade for off-ice training unveiled
July 11, 2022 GMTIn almost two decades of training NHL players, Kelly Riou tried just about everything to help them replicate the unnatural motion of skating when they're off the ice.
He believes he has now found it, with the help of a retired quarterback and a drone engineer, and hopes it revolutionizes the way hockey players at all levels train in the gym.
Executive director Ramsey Baker to leave US Figure Skating
June 24, 2022 GMTCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Ramsey Baker is leaving U.S. Figure Skating at the end of the year, leaving the organization in search of an executive director after a successful Beijing Olympics and as it turns its attention toward the 2026 Winter Games in Milan.
Jonny Nilsson, Olympic speedskating champ in ’64, dies at 79
June 22, 2022 GMTSTOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) — Jonny Nilsson, a Swedish speedskater who won the gold medal in the 10,000 meters at the Winter Olympics at Innsbruck in 1964, has died. He was 79.
Nilsson’s death was announced by his wife, Marianne, on Wednesday.
Shimabukuro inks another 4 years as US speedskating coach
June 15, 2022 GMTFresh off the best Olympic showing by the U.S. speedskating team in a dozen years, Ryan Shimabukuro is staying on for another four years as coach of the American squad.
Shimabukuro posted a picture on his Facebook page Tuesday showing him signing his new contract at the Utah Olympic Oval in suburban Salt Lake City.
Samsung executive elected to lead skating governing body
June 10, 2022 GMTPHUKET, Thailand (AP) — A South Korean executive with Olympic sponsor Samsung was elected Friday as new president of the International Skating Union.
Kim Jae-youl garnered 77 of the 119 votes in a four-person contest to lead the governing body of figure skating and speed skating.
Figure skating minimum age rises to 17 before 2026 Olympics
June 7, 2022 GMTPHUKET, Thailand (AP) — No 15-year-old figure skaters will be allowed to compete at the 2026 Olympics following the controversy surrounding Russian national champion Kamila Valieva at this year's Beijing Games.
Figure skating body details proposal to hike age limit to 17
May 2, 2022 GMTGENEVA (AP) — Figure skating’s governing body has detailed a proposal to raise the athlete age limit to 17 at the Olympics and other international events.
The proposal was expected even before 15-year-old Kamila Valieva’s doping case dominated the women’s event at the Beijing Olympics in February.
Torvill and Dean being honored by Ice Theater of New York
April 30, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, considered the trailblazers of modern ice dance, will be honored May 9 by Ice Theater of New York.
The 1984 Olympic champions whose free dance to Ravel's “Bolero” stretched far beyond the rigid parameters of their sport — and altered it forever — will be recognized during the 35th anniversary of the ice theater.
Russian seeks to keep senior role at skating federation
April 27, 2022 GMTGENEVA (AP) — A Russian official was among the candidates announced Wednesday for the International Skating Union’s elections in June, if he is allowed to stand to retain his place as a vice president.
Putin backs Russian skater Valieva as she faces doping case
April 26, 2022 GMTRussian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for figure skater Kamila Valieva on Tuesday, saying she did not compete “dishonestly” after her doping case dominated this year's Winter Olympics.
Russia removed as host of 2023 worlds in men’s ice hockey
April 26, 2022 GMTZURICH (AP) — Russia was removed Tuesday as host of the 2023 world championship in men’s ice hockey that was to be played in Vladimir Putin’s home city St. Petersburg.
Citing “concern for the safety and well-being of all participating players, officials, media, and fans,” the International Ice Hockey Federation announced the decision after its ruling council met.
Russia stripped of hosting figure skating Grand Prix event
April 25, 2022 GMTLAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Russia has been stripped of hosting an event on figure skating’s Grand Prix circuit next season because of the country's war on Ukraine.
The International Skating Union said Monday it is looking for a replacement host for the Nov.
Figure Skating in Harlem: 25 years and growing
April 18, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A quarter-century ago, Sharon Cohen founded an organization that, to some, made little sense. After all, how many figure skaters would she find in Harlem?
Figure Skating in Harlem celebrates its 25th anniversary with a gala on April 25, and has become a success story built on academics, social growth and, well, yes, ice time.
Stars on Ice back after pandemic with Olympic, world champs
April 14, 2022 GMTWhen Stars on Ice, uh, hits the ice Friday night in Estero, Florida, it will be for the first time in two years. Spicing up the tour: an Olympic gold medalist and two world champions.
The 24-city tour was idled by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it returns with Beijing winner Nathan Chen and pairs world champs Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier in the cast.
Olympics figure skater Alysa Liu retires at age 16
April 9, 2022 GMTAlysa Liu, a 2022 Olympian and world championships bronze medalist, is retiring from competitive figure skating at age 16.
Considered the future of U.S. women's skating and already a two-time national champion, Liu posted her decision Saturday on Instagram.
Scott Hamilton to cycle 444 miles in cancer fundraiser
April 9, 2022 GMTScott Hamilton is back in action.
No, the figure skating icon won't be lacing up. He'll be sitting atop a bike and cycling 444 miles Erase the Trace, a five-day ride along the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Russian appeals against sports bans to be heard by CAS
April 5, 2022 GMTLAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Russian federations and athletes have filed multiple legal challenges to fight their bans from international sports events because of their country waging war on Ukraine.
Uno wins figure skating worlds as American Zhou takes bronze
March 26, 2022 GMTOlympic bronze medalist Shoma Uno concluded a dominant figure skating world championships by winning the gold medal Saturday, while Vincent Zhou of the U.S. catapulted from sixth after his short program to earn the bronze.
Papadakis, Cizeron shatter rhythm dance record at worlds
March 25, 2022 GMTOlympic ice dance champions Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron shattered their own rhythm dance world record on Friday to take the lead over two American teams at the world championships in Montpellier, France.
Knierim, Frazier give US first pairs world title since 1979
March 24, 2022 GMTAlexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier became the first American pairs team to win the figure skating world championship in more than 40 years, performing a clean program Thursday minutes after watching teammate Ashley Cain-Gribble taken off the ice on a stretcher in Montpellier, France.
Skating commentators out after degrading remark on open mic
March 24, 2022 GMTLAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The International Skating Union has replaced its commentators at the figure skating world championships after an open mic picked up a demeaning remark directed at retired Canadian skater Meagan Duhamel.
Knierim-Frazier top pairs short program at skating worlds
March 23, 2022 GMTThe U.S. pairs team of Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier took the lead after the short program Wednesday at the figure skating world championships in France, where the majority of Olympic figure skating medalists are absent because of the ban on Russian athletes from international competition.
Russian Olympians face backlash after Vladimir Putin rally
March 23, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — Russian Olympic athletes who participated in a rally supporting President Vladimir Putin and the invasion of Ukraine are facing a backlash, with one losing a sponsorship deal and facing a disciplinary investigation.
After Russia’s ban, world figure skating medals up for grabs
March 22, 2022 GMTThe top two women from the Beijing Olympics, Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova, won't be at the world figure skating championships this week in Montpellier, France. Neither will Kamila Valieva, the fourth-place finisher whose positive doping result casted a shadow over the entire Winter Games.
Olympic champ Chen out of figure skating worlds with injury
March 16, 2022 GMTCOLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Olympic figure skating champion Nathan Chen withdrew from the world championships on Wednesday because of what he called a “nagging injury” that he's been dealing with after winning at the Beijing Games.
Russia steps up legal fight against isolation in sports
March 11, 2022 GMTLAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Russia stepped up its legal fight against isolation in sports because of the war in Ukraine when its national Olympic body made an urgent appeal Friday to overturn a ban on its athletes competing at a European youth winter sports festival.
Japan tops medal count at FISU Speed Skating Championship
March 5, 2022 GMTLAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — Japan’s Yuto Tanigaki won the men’s mass start title, while teammate Yuka Takahashi claimed the women’s crown Saturday on the final day of the FISU World University Speed Skating Championship.
Poland wins 2 gold medals at FISU Speed Skating Championship
March 5, 2022 GMTLAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — American William Gebauer set a track record in the men’s 500 meters and Team Poland set a mark in the men’s team pursuit at the FISU World University Speed Skating Championship on Friday.
AP Sportlight
March 4, 2022 GMTMarch 5
1924 — Frank Carauna, of Buffalo, N.Y., becomes the first to bowl two straight perfect 300 games. Carauna throws five strikes to open his third game, giving him 29 straight strikes.
1931 — WGL radio broadcasts the first game of the American Basketball League championship series.
AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead
March 4, 2022 GMTMarch 6
1920 — Mickey Roach of Toronto scores five goals to lead the St. Patricks to an 11-2 rout of the Quebec Bulldogs.
1976 — Dorothy Hamill wins the World Figure Skating Championships in Goteberg, Sweden.
2 more track records set at FISU speedskating championships
March 3, 2022 GMTLAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — Germany's Lea-Sophie Scholz and Japan’s Kota Mitsui set track records in winning 1,500-meter events Thursday at the FISU World University speed skating championship.
Scholz won the women’s race on the 400-meter James C.