Like many winter sports figure skatings roots grew from necessity As a mode of transportation for warfare and hunting in Northern Europe skating was a swift way to cross frozen lakes ponds rivers and streams Warriors and hunters crafted makeshift skates of reindeer antlers or elk bones, and later iron and steel. By the 16th century skaters were transporting goods across frozen waterways.In 1892 the International Skating Union ISU was founded. Six years later, the first ISUsanctioned event was held, and organisers hoped it might soon become an official Olympic sport. Because competitions could be held indoors, figure skating was added to the Olympic programme for the 1908 Summer Games. Figure skating became an official Olympic Winter Games sport at the 1924 Winter Games in Chamonix.

Website: http://www.olympic.org/uk/sports/programme/disciplines_uk.asp?DiscCode=FS