Figure Skating at the 1960 Winter Olympics

Dates 19 – 26 February 1960
Medal Events 3

Although the long travel to California made the IOC worried about participation, the figure skating fields were quite full, with all the top skaters there. The Soviet Union made its Olympic figure skating début, entering two pairs, a discipline in which they would soon dominate. In all three events, the defending champions and heavy favorites won the gold medals. The events were held indoors at the Blyth Memorial Arena. Previously, Olympic figure skating had been contested outdoors, except in 1908, 1920, and 1932, but from 1960 on, it has always been held indoors. Men and women skated compulsory figures and a free skating program, with the compulsory figures counting towards 60% of the final score, while pairs skated a single free skate program. Overall placements were determined by the majority placement system. The compulsory figures were changed from six to five figures, but the percentages were not changed.

Events

Event Status Date Participants NOCs
Singles, Men Olympic 24 – 26 February 1960 19 10
Singles, Women Olympic 21 – 23 February 1960 26 13
Pairs, Mixed Olympic 19 February 1960 26 7
71 (32/39) 14 (12/14)

Medals

Event Gold Silver Bronze
Singles, Men David JenkinsUSA Karol DivínTCH Don JacksonCAN
Singles, Women Carol HeissUSA Sjoukje DijkstraNED Barbara Ann RolesUSA
Pairs, Mixed Canada 1CAN Unified Team of Germany 1GER United States 1USA

Medal table

NOC Gold Silver Bronze Total
United States USA 2 0 2 4
Canada CAN 1 0 1 2
Czechoslovakia TCH 0 1 0 1
Germany GER 0 1 0 1
Netherlands NED 0 1 0 1