Great Britain's Winter Olympics Hall of Fame
From James Toney, Sportsbeat, in Vancouver
ON the eve of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, we ask who are the greatest British Winter Olympians of all time?
Here's the case for a cast that includes a plasterer from Gloucester and an office clerk and copper from Nottingham, plus a Lord and an Earl.
1. JAYNE TORVILL AND CHRISTOPHER DEAN, SARAJEVO 1984
PERFECT UNION: Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean stopped the nation as 24 million watched them win ice dance gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajavo (Getty Images)
Christopher Dean, a policeman from Nottingham, started his ice dance career with Sandra Elson, winning the British title in 1974.
Jayne Torvill, an office clerk from the same town, was dancing with British champion Michael Hutchison - but by 1975 they came together to form the most famous double act in British sporting history.
Within three years they were British champions but they finished a disappointing 11th at the 1978 World Championships in Canada.
But Ottawa marked a turning point for their careers, thanks to a meeting with inspirational coach Betty Calloway.
She became a vital factor in their success - and by the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, Torvill and Dean announced their credentials with a fifth place finish in the ice dance.
One year later they were European and world champions, defending that title in 1982 as they started to dominate their discipline.
Another world title followed in 1983 - West End actor Michael Crawford working with the duo and Calloway as they recreated his stage show Barnum with a groundbreaking routine that earned a world record 12 perfect ‘sixes'.
But it's the 1984 Sarajevo Games - and their routine to Ravel's Bolero - for which they'll forever be remembered.
More than 24 million television viewers tuned in, as the nation stopped to watch.
Torvill and Dean turned professional after adding a fourth world title to their resume, taking a hugely popular ice show on the road.
They returned to the Olympics after rules regarding professionals were relaxed I 1994 - taking bronze with another ground-breaking routine that was marked down by some judges for its innovative nature.
Do you agree with our views? Feel free to make your case for anyone omitted on our rankings.
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The very first Winter Olympics began in 1901. It had been initially known as the "Nordic Games." First locked in Sweden, the games were organized by Viktor Gustaf Balck. 3 years later, the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC), underneath the leadership of Italian count Eugenio Brunetta d'Usseaux, suggested the staging from the 1912 Summer time Olympic games in Stockholm. However, the IOC people opposed the proposal because of the possible lack of facilities for winter sporting occasions. In 1920, the Antwerp Winter Olympics occured following the First World War. Following the IOC Congress in 1921, the committee chose France to host the 1924 Winter Olympic games.
Excellent post. The dancing
Excellent post. The dancing pose is fantastic.
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Good post. I liked the dance
Good post. I liked the dance too much.
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This year's ice skating competition was so much fun to watch. Vancouver athletes really did an awesome job. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with in 2014!new year sayings
Nice work
This year's ice skating competition was so much fun to watch. Vancouver athletes really did an awesome job. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with in 2014!
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beautiful
Beautifully well done. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are truly perfect couple. I went to see their show several times. I love them.
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These games are really loved all over the world.The skating dance is loved all over the world. clubmz espy
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This team is very fabulous.
This team is very fabulous. Great performance!
Thanks for the video. :)
Good post, thanks for taking
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Torvill and Dean turned professional after adding a fourth world title to their resume, taking a hugely popular ice show on the road.
:)
Torvill and Dean turned professional after adding a fourth world title to their resume, taking a hugely popular ice show on the road.
:)
While the Olympiad can be traced back to the ancient Greeks in 776 B.C., the medal tradition began with the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, where only the top two finishers were recognized - winner received a silver medal and a crown of olive branches, while the second-place finisher was awarded a bronze medal and a crown of laurel.
Ice Skating is So Popular
I think a lot of people forget how popular ice staking is around the world. It's one of the most entertaining sports to watch during the olympics too! This year's ice skating competition was so much fun to watch. Vancouver athletes really did an awesome job. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with in 2014!
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Beautiful skating
I remember when Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean stopped the nation in 1984. I think everyone I knew by then had seen them, some with tears in their eyes.
I do not think that the 1984
I do not think that the 1984 Olympics which showcased the performance of Torvill and Dean had been surpassed by anyone for that matter. I mean just look at what they have been doing in the ice. I do not think that they were gliding, they were flying instead. I should say that it was also an aesthetic performance. One which we do not see nowadays! Probably because of the lack of fusion between the athletes! Furthermore, one needs to have a lot of health for the performance as well!
1936 British Olympic Ice Hockey Team
I would like to see more information produced about this Team if possible.
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