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Gold medal champion Katarina Witt skating at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Source: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Katarina-Witt (May be subject to copyright) |
I was thinking back to that figure skating competition in Calgary yesterday when I heard it was Katarina Witt’s birthday.
It reminded me of the hype, the performance and just how talented Witt was.
Calling Sarajevo
Witt’s dominance on the international figure skating stage goes back much further than those 1988 Winter Olympics.
Witt’s dominance on the international figure skating stage goes back much further than those 1988 Winter Olympics.
She began figure skating in 1977. Back then, the Iron Curtain divided Europe into Communist and Democratic states, with Germany split into East and West Germany. Katarina Witt skated for East Germany.
She won silver in 1982 at both the European and World championships. In 1983, she won her first gold medal at the European championships, but finished fourth in the World championships because of her low score in the compulsory figures.
The 1984 Winter Olympics were in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, and Witt would have to defeat American Rosalynn Sumners, the defending world champion, if she wanted to win gold. The two were neck in neck going into the free skate which Witt won to take her first gold medal.
She was just 18 years old, making her one of the youngest Olympic figure skating champions ever.
Olympic interregnum
Katarina Witt was just getting started. She won her first World championship in 1984, winning all three phases of the competition. She defended her world title in 1985, but took second at the 1986 World championships to American champion Debi Thomas.
Katarina Witt was just getting started. She won her first World championship in 1984, winning all three phases of the competition. She defended her world title in 1985, but took second at the 1986 World championships to American champion Debi Thomas.
Witt had contemplated retiring after the 1986 World championships, but the loss to Thomas motivated her to continue on.
In 1987, she won her third World championship, then won her sixth consecutive European championship in 1988.
Going into the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Witt and Thomas were the favourites to battle for gold.
Gold in Cowtown
What I will always remember about watching those Olympics was the aura around Katarina Witt. She just seemed to have this magical, invincible persona. It was like she was destined to repeat as gold medal champion.
What I will always remember about watching those Olympics was the aura around Katarina Witt. She just seemed to have this magical, invincible persona. It was like she was destined to repeat as gold medal champion.
There was also a lot of talk about her costume, her sensuality and charisma on the ice. There was even some hype that her routine in Calgary bordered on pornographic, which was more hyperbole than anything.
Yet, she won the short program and, although she was bested by Canadian Elizabeth Manley in the long program, did enough to win gold.
Katarina Witt became the second female skater in history to defend an Olympic ladies’ singles title.
Oh, and her costume was short and a bit suggestive, but not pornographic. It pales in comparison to pretty much anything today’s skaters wear.
The years after
Katarina Witt would win her fourth World championship in 1988, to conclude her career as an amateur. She would go on to turn professional, and became an actress.
Katarina Witt would win her fourth World championship in 1988, to conclude her career as an amateur. She would go on to turn professional, and became an actress.
She launched a comeback in 1994, that culminated in a seventh place finish at the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. She was sixth going into the long program, which put her in the final flight. As luck would have it she skated last, and turned in a stirring performance.
I recall just how much I cheered for her when she made that comeback.
Parting thoughts
I still recall how graceful and athletic Katarina Witt was, with those long, lean, powerful legs that propelled her in the air. She exuded confidence, making it seem the gold medal was a foregone conclusion. It surprised me, looking back, how much closer it really was than it seemed to be when I was watching in Edmonton in 1988.
I still recall how graceful and athletic Katarina Witt was, with those long, lean, powerful legs that propelled her in the air. She exuded confidence, making it seem the gold medal was a foregone conclusion. It surprised me, looking back, how much closer it really was than it seemed to be when I was watching in Edmonton in 1988.
However, what is most impressive to me is her character. When she launched her comeback, six years after her retirement from amateur competition, age had taken some of that athleticism. Skaters were also attempting and landing much more difficult jumps.
It looked like the sport had passed her by.
Yet, she dug down deep and, using her experience, grit and determination, finished seventh at the Olympics. The vast majority of skaters would do anything for a top-10 finish.
Beyond the two Olympic gold medals, four world championships, and six European championships, that's why Katarina Witt is one of the best of all time.
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