The so-called "Katarina rule" required female skaters to cover their "hips and posterior," and was instituted thanks to Katarina Witt's racy costume at the 1988 games. Aside from winning a gold medal for East Germany at the Calgary Olympics, Katarina Witt caused quite the uproar over the short hemline on her blue feathered dress. Keeping all of these creative decisions in mind, skaters have to consider that the rules are pretty subjective: What's perfectly acceptable to one judge might be "garish" or "too theatrical" to another. Competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 12, 2018, in Gangneung, South Korea. Competing for her 9th consecutive U.S. Champion title, Michelle Kwan wore a one-shouldered gold sequin dress. Figure Skating Championships. Figure Skating Championships. During her figure skating routine at the 1936 Winter Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The Ukrainian skater performing during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. The Canadian athlete competing in a figure skating competition in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Altwegg, from Great Britain, after winning a gold medal in the Women's Figure Skating Competition in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. Keep scrolling to see the stunning evolution of womens figure skating costumes through the years. Hamill won the gold medal for the U.S. in the ladies singles figure skating event. Showing Editorial results for katarina witt. Sasha Cohen wowed the crowd at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games in a red dress with sunburst yellow and orange hemline. The judge, who once stripped for Playboy, now says she will change her. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. She won the gold medal. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. It takes grit, stamina and a willingness to throw yourself onto a slab of solid ice over and over again and look beautiful while doing it. But back in 1988, it stopped the presses. Shaun White and Nina Dobrevs Cutest Moments, Meet Naomi Osakas Incredibly Supportive Parents, 16 Pics of Olympians the Moment They Knew They Won, You Def Wanna See Funny Tweets About the Olympics, This 15-Year-Old Ice Skater Just Made History, Dont Let Maame Bineys Smiling Face Fool You, Meet Olympian Chloe Kims Skateboarder Boyfriend, Wondering When the Next Olympics Games Are? During the Lillehammer Olympic Games, Nancy Kerrigan wore an elegant black and white dress with sheer sleeves that designer Vera Wang said "made her look tougher.". The American skater competing in the ladies singles figure skating event at the 1992 Winter Olympic Games held in Albertville, France, on Feb. 21, 1992. The French skater performing her free program during the Winter Olympics Feb. 21, 1992, in Albertville. Debi Thomas dazzled in an embellished bubblegum pink outfit as she placed second at the U.S. A Canadian coach called it practically a g-string (one has to wonder if this Canadian coach ever saw a g-string), and even Dr. Ruth was contacted by Reuters to comment on the dress. Even though she failed to medal Italian figure skater Carolina Kostner looked stunning in an ombr dress encrusted with crystals for the Sochi Winter Olympics. The 23-year-old took to the ice in black leggings that appeared to be attached to a gold and black sparkly sleeveless top. Oct 19, 2021 - Explore Rich Hassey's board "Katarina Witt" on Pinterest. Kwan won the silver medal. The issue was so popular it became the first issue of Playboy to sell out since the 1950s, flying off the racks of Hudson News, truck stop shelves, or your local Borders or Media Play (RIP). The American skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. And her performance was just as dazzling as it would have been in a frilly, flouncy skirt, if not more so, because it was so bold. America's Tim Wood in a form-fitting suit at the Olympics in 1968. Ice skating costumes have often been a great example of what constitutes "sexy" attire maybe it's just the chill thrill of the rink, but skaters' attire has often been boundary-pushing (and, in olden times, modesty-pushing too). Last week, costume designer Jan Longmire told InStyle, The guidelines change every now and then, but every girl always has to wear a skirt she cant come out in a leotard on its own.. An unabashed 80s & 90s pop culture junkie, Michael Jones is a Brooklyn-based writer and co-host of the Pop Trash Podcast. Margot Robbie portrays the life of American skater Tonya Harding. These Twitter reactions sum it up. Katarina Witt's Net Worth and Career Earnings. Wish she'd done a whole program to Beyonce songs. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. The Forward Calendar March is bursting with the most vibrant and inspiring cultural events. Her response? 23.02.2018. Blue feather costume that shows off too much butt cheek sold separately. And they have. Planck-Szabo of Austria, Muckelt of Great Britain and Loughran of the United States at the 1924 winter Olympics in Chamonix, France, Jan. 30, 1924. Youll also find her briefly hanging out with Jerry Maguire, or in season one of Everybody Loves Raymond. She plays a figure skater, but dont let that fool you: theres some good acting chops on display, and her character plays a massive role in the films ending. Spoiler alert: There's a lot of illusion mesh and Spandex going on. Norwegian skater Sonja Henie in a knee-length, long-sleeve silk dress in 1932. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. has collaborated with many Olympic figure skaters, Olympic bronze medalist and two-time national champion. After Katarina Witt came out on the ice in a few feathers barely covering her behind in 1988, the International Skating Union enacted a rule that women had to wear skirts. Dubravcic, representing Yugoslavia, skating her long program during the Winter Olympics on Feb. 18, 1984, in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. The guidelines continue: "The clothing must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for the discipline. Figure skating competitors often make headlines for their extravagant outfits as much as they do for their athletic abilities. info); born 3 December 1965) is a German former figure skater. Clothing may, however, reflect the character of the music chosen.". The three medal winners Lynn of the U.S., Schuba of Austria, Magnussen of Canada in ladies singles figure skating at the Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, Feb. 7, 1972. With designing the outfits comes great resposibility. Costumes also run the style gamut, and range from DIY imagination (Figure skating legend and 1976 gold medalist Dorothy Hamill, for instance, wore super simple, floating designs her first costume was made by her mother's friend) to inspired by the runway (Vera Wang, for example, has collaborated with many Olympic figure skaters on their looks, including Nancy Kerrigan and Michelle Kwan). Get ready for sheer mesh, catsuits, and a whole lotta plunging necklines. The South Korean skater competing in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. Katarina Witt, Wladimir Klitschko, Countess Mariella von Faber-Castell Ahrens and Henry Maske attend the after show party to 'Tribute To Bambi 2009'. When East-German figure skating competitor Katarina Witt performed in an outfit that resembled a bathing suit at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, she shocked audiences around the world. . Katarina Witt, (born December 3, 1965, Karl-Marx-Stadt, East Germany [now Chemnitz, Germany]), German figure skater who was the first woman to win consecutive Olympic gold medals (1984 and 1988) in singles figure skating since Sonja Henie in 1936. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. From some of the earliest modern Olympic games to this week's events in Beijing, here are the most iconic figure skating outfits to have ever graced the ice. You know, the kind that punctuate songs by Cathy Dennis, The Real McCoy, Le Click, etc. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. Witt's blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. But after Katarina Witt famously competed in the 1998 Olympics in a scandalously short, feathery blue costume that officials deemed too revealing, the International Skating Union stepped in and put official dress code regulations in place. The event led to a change of costume-rules, which got their latest update in 2016. Beatrix Schuba represented Austria in a bejeweled blazer-like design when she won an Olympic gold medal in Sapporo, Japan. Despite the relatively vague assessment metric for women's costumes, there is one black-and-white rule is that men can't stray from: No leggings. The charismatic Witt defined the sport in the 1980s with her flirtatious and graceful performances. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Get ready todiscoverfestivals, must-see performances, and hidden gallery shows. Both of these hardcore costume bans were lifted in 2003, and since then, the ISU has kept the Olympic figure skating dress code rules relatively subjective at least for women. Create an account and youll be able to save and revisit articles. For her routine, Shizuka Arakawa wore a unique dual-toned blue dress with sheer sleeves and low neckline. Without giving too much away, lets just say that if you like your double toe-loops with a dose of snipers and car chases, this movies for you. Figure Skating Championship. Basically, the flesh colored panels make itseem like skaters are showing a lot of skin, without actually showing any and thus breaking the rules. Performing during the short program of the ladies singles figure skating event on Feb. 21, 2006, at at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. The Katarina rule dictates that women's hips, midriffs and butt are covered. Katarina Witt's outfit caused the ISU to institute "The Katarina Rule.". Witt, a German double Olympic gold medal-winning skater, was said to be upset over the criticism about her low-cut outfits. Russian ice dancers Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin fueled controversy with their stereotyped "aboriginal" costumes. Ilia Kulik of Russia in a flowing, see-through costume at the 1998 Olympics. Decades later, the niece of outgoing President Donald Trump would write that her uncle also noticed Katarina Witt, but hated her because Witt rebuffed his advances. Bustle reached out to The International Skater's Union for comment on these rules, but has not received a response. (in a fringed zebra-print dress with side cut-outs) and Chuen Gun Lee (in black . In this interview, we will delve into what makes Dinamo []. Competing in the figure skating team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 11, 2018. In terms of decoration, most skating outfits were quite plain during the World War II era, as fabric shortages led skaters to favor simple silhouettes with less fabric and little embellishment, according to Insider. Not possible. So, Mit might be onto something. "We're here to skate in a dress, not a G-string," a rival coach reportedly . British figure skater John Curry in a disco-worthy jumpsuit at the Olympics in 1976. Meite, of France, competing at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on Feb. 8, 2014. even Dr. Ruth was contacted by Reuters to comment on the dres, boogie to the dulcet sounds of a cold bottle of Diet Coke being cracked open, for the most 90s dance track imaginable: Skate With Me., an anecdote about how Trump once tried to hit on Katarina Witt, The East German Stasi (secret police) kept 3,500 pages of files on her. Michelle Kwan, for example, popularized a look that was more swimsuit than skating, eschewing beaded sleeves for spaghetti straps. This French Figure Skater May Not Have Won A Medal, But Her Pants Took People's Choice. Her colorful and vibrant artwork celebrates diversity, representation, and equality. Canada's Joannie Rochette in the ladies figure skating event at the 2010 Winter Olympics at Pacific Coliseum on Feb. 23, 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. Meet Ma-Brnice Mit, an Olympic Figure Skater from France.- Dark skinned black woman- Wore pants for her routine- Skated to BeyoncHAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackGirlMagic #BlackExcellence #ItsTooColdForSkirtsOutThere pic.twitter.com/jYkEGqbkup, how she scored is irrelevant; Ma-Brnice Mit skating to a Beyonce mashup in pants is my new queen and 2018 mood #Olympics, I love everything about Ma-Brnice Mit's outfit. She was of course up against Thomas, and the drama was high as both Witt and Thomas chose music from Carmen to skate to, letting the media bill this like a professional wrestling bout: The Battle of the Carmens. The skater from East Germany skating during the 1984 Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, on Feb. 18, 1984. Lu, of China, in the free skate portion of the ladies singles figure skating competition at the 1994 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1994, in Lillehammer, Norway. Nancy Kerrigan looked chic in a simple sheer and ruched white dress as she took the podium for her bronze medal at the Albertville, France Olympic Games in 1992. At the peak of her professional skating career, Katarina Witt could have expected to earn in the region $1.5 million a year. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. The opening credits are a dream. Then the '80s rolled around, and spandex, sparkles, chiffon, sequins and beads reigned supreme. Tens across the board for Katarina Witt, the Olympic figure skating powerhouse whose determination on and off the ice dominated American pop culture of the 80s and 90s. American skater Polina Edmunds wore a purple bodysuit in the ladies short program during the 2018 Prudential U.S. Katarina Witt has responded to comments that she shows too much boob on Dancing On Ice, claiming that it's only because she 'sits down'. Its free! Christopher Morris - Corbis via Getty Images, competed in a skirt with a comparatively short hemline, lower necklines were making their way onto the ice, womens hips, midriffs and buttocks had to be covered with a skirt. Not even mad about this first two jumps. That rule was overturned in the early 2000s, bringing back the pants. With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long Program. Albright of the United States displaying her grace and technique during her free skating program at the 1956 Winter Olympics. Sarah Hughes wore a lavender dress with a beaded bodice for the Salt Lake City Olympics, at which she won a gold medal in the ladies free program. Sign up here to get INSIDER's favorite stories straight to your inbox. Rare Photos of Katarina Witt Here are some rare and classic photos of two-time Olympic gold medalist skater Katarina Witt, who turned 50 on Dec. 3, 2015. The best part is that figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. The American skater competing in the ladies free program during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games at the Salt Lake Ice Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Witt was a high-profile sporting star and landed tv and film cameo roles. Sparkly and pants . Photo: Getty Images Katarina Witt, Wladimir Klitschko, Countess Mariella von Faber-Castell Ahrens and Henry Maske attend the after show party to 'Tribute To Bambi 2009'. So scroll on for the steamiest figure-skating costume looks of all time. Katarina Witt of Germany in a strapless, arm-baring number at the 1988 Olympics. Aug 12, 2022 - Explore Randy Lantz's board "Katarina Witt", followed by 399 people on Pinterest. Its absolutely nightmarish!, says runway designer Vera Wang, who custom designed the outfit of US competitor Nathan Chen. That same year, American skater Debi Thomas made waves by wearing a full unitard for competition, which led to a ban on costumes without skirts. I Was a Teenage Catfish and I Regret Nothing. See more ideas about katarina witt, figure skater, hot figure skaters. The Russian athlete competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics on Feb. 11, 2018. "One time we had a gold dress that had the whole back open and cutouts on the front with nude mesh. Meg Donohue is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Kostner, of Italy, performing during the free skating program of the ladies singles event during the 2006 Winter Olympics on Feb. 23, 2006, at Palavela in Turin, Italy. Shortly after the games concluded, figure skating implemented a dress code and dubbed it "The Katarina Rule.". If one strap were to break, or if the beading on the sleeve gets caught when they turn, their whole Olympics is over. The Russian skater performing in the women's free program of the figure skating event at the Olympic Ice Center, Feb. 21, 2002, during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. They dont just sit and drink coffee and they move the bottom half of their bodies well, which is very beneficial. Paging Gus Kenworthy. but alas, Dr. Ruths vision for a dress code came true, and the Katarina Rule was born requiring skaters to (in the words of Jurassic Park) cover their butts. The ISU instituted " The Katarina Rule, " which dictated that women's hips, midriffs, and butt were covered. These days, embellishments are still popular as ever and short skirts are still No. The American athlete competing in the Winter Olympics at the Zetra Ice Stadium in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, February 1984. Lynn, representing the U.S. at 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. Gold medalist at the 1956 Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy, Tenley Albright wore a dress with a panel-pleated skirt. At the beginning of her career, Dorothy Hamill stood out among her competitors with the understated and simple designs she chose for her skating costumes. 3. For all its glamour, figure skating is one of the toughest sports to master. "[Men] can wear a tapered pant, but if it is a tight, that's a reduction in your score," two-time Olympian Johnny Weir told Cosmopolitan. Through the 50s and 60s, womens costumes were still quite basic and generally featured high necklines with flared skirts. Saaame, Leslie Jones Is Narrating the Olympics and Its , 70 of the Sexiest Figure-Skating Costumes of All Time. As the years progressed, figure skating fashion evolved both men and women's costumes got shorter, more embellished, and more dramatic. Austrian skater Karl Shafer in a belted suit and tapered pants at the Olympics in 1936. A skater named Debi Thomas hit the ice the same year in a black, beaded, full-body unitard and no skirt a move that put a temporary ban on costumes without skirts. Costume designer Brad Griffies who designed American skaterGracie Gold's blue costume, below likes to deploy nude fabric strategically. The American skater performing during the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. Unfortunately, the judges werent as impressed, giving her a score of 46.62, putting her in ninth place. Sparkles reign supreme today, but they weren't always the norm. The American athlete skating in the free skate during the ladies singles figure skating event of the 1998 Winter Olympics on Feb. 20, 1998, in Nagano, Japan. However, those glimmering crystals and sheer panels aren't just deployed for ornamental purposes they actually serve as bulwarks against immodesty and point deductions. Kerrigan, of the U.S., performing at the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, where she won the silver medal. The International Skating Union now stipulates, that the clothing must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for the discipline. However, clothing may reflect the character of the music. The American skater performing during the women's free skating program at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 23, 2006, at Palavela in Turin, Italy. As a result, the ISU changed dress code rules and introduced The Katarina Rule, which stated that womens hips, midriffs and buttocks had to be covered with a skirt, as noted by The Atlantic. French ice-dancing couple Gwendal Peizerat (in a billowy blouse) and Marina Anissina (in a dress that gave the illusion that her whole side was naked) at a competition in 2001. Katarina Witt of the German Democratic Republic placed 2nd in the portion of the competition. Surya Bonaly of France in a low-cut, bare-armed number at the 1998 Olympics. "If youre going for strapless, it's nice to have that nude in there, to make everything stay," he told Slate,suggesting that flesh-colored panels help ensure modesty, but also a better, more flexible fit. This means that although most competitors stick with the typical glitzy, sparkling dresses, there are hardly any strict rules that have to be followed. Laetitia Hubert of France in a yellow skirt and some strategically-placed flames at the 1998 Games. American figure skater Debi Thomas in a black jumpsuit at the 1988 Olympics. Yes, you read that right: A figure skater competed at the PyeongChang Olympics sans skirt. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Performing during the free program of the ladies singles figure skating event at the Olympic Ice Center, Feb. 21, 2002, during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Collect, curate and comment on your files. This past year when Mary Trump dropped her book Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the Worlds Most Dangerous Man, she included an anecdote about how Trump once tried to hit on Katarina Witt. Sep 8, 2021 - Katarina Witt Evening Dress - Katarina Witt attended the Echo Klassik in a dazzling royal blue evening dress. ), but the global footprint of WittKatarina the Great as many billed hermade a world class figure skater into a pop culture crossover. The figure skater won Japan its first gold medal in the sport during the Turin, Italy Olympics. Katarina Witt's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. And Witt wasn't the only who'd offended the delicate sensibilities of the judges, either. The rule is you have to be 50 percent covered with material, which I was but, it depends on how tastefully you do it. Yes, most competitors stick to the glitzy, skirted bodysuit situations that our brains automatically associate with figure skating but over the years, many have put variations on the classics. In 1994, after the absolute blockbuster chaos of the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan story, figure skating was riding an all-time high in the zeitgeist of American culture. Also, the costume needs to be exactly what it should be for that particular skater, and that particular program. South Korea's Yuna Kim performs in the Ladies' Free skating program at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, during the 2010 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 2010. British skater Jeannette Altwegg in a shiny, short-skirted dress at the Olympics in 1952. I'm with it. Performing in the ladies singles figure skating event at the 1988 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1988, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Men must wear full length trousers and must not wear tights. And it must have worked, because Witt and company propelled Ice Wars into a 13-year phenomenon. I'd be walking through an airport and I'd see someone with the issue of Playboy in their hands, and they'd see me, and their eyes would go right to my chest. The best part is that figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. And Katarina Witt caused a stir with her 1988 feather-trimmed getup that. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. American skater Debi Thomas in a very sheer leotard during a 1989 performance. Prev 5 of 8 Next . (October 12, 2009 - Source: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Europe) see more angles Newest Full List. I loved the French skater (Ma-Brnice Mit)'s awesome pants outfit and the Bey song. SI Staff Dec 2, 2015 Rare Photos of. Town & Country participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. In the words of Beyonc, the pants-clad and badass skater is repping for the girls who taking over the world.. When East-German figure skating competitor Katarina Witt performed in an outfit that resembled a bathing suit at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, she shocked audiences around the world. Now that is some ooey-gooey dance pop music bliss that may or may not make any sense, but just try not listening to this song and feeling like you can land a double salchow right in the middle of Limelight or Palladium. Katerina looked like a . Nagasu of the United States reacts after her routine in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. However, at the 1988 Olympics, the official Olympic dress code rules changed in response to the "scandalous" outfit worn by a competitor from East Germany named Katarina Witt. Mit might prefer pants; she competed in the same costume at the womens short program dance during the Internationaux de France ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Grenoble, France, in November. The Russian skater Irina Slutskaya's embellished black dress stood out with it's jagged neckline during the Salt Lake City Olympics. "I have been close for being docked points but, it has never happened," Marissa Castelli, an Olympic bronze medalist and two-time national champion tells Bustle. And sure, a certain Nancy and Tonya helped with that too (not to mention a backflipping Surya Bonaly! Calgary, Alberta, CANADA - 1988 Winter Games, Ladies' Short Program - Re-posting another one of the videos the IOC had filed copyright infringement and had me taking it down. The design process usually starts with the music, says Pat Pearsal, who has been designing costumes for years. German skater Katarina Witt in a pink illusion V-neck number at the 1984 Games. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. Performing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. American skater Hayes Alan Jenkins in a chunky sweater and pants at the 1956 Olympics. Gracie Gold represented the United States at the Sochi Olympic Games in a theatrical red velvet dress with an embellished necklace and rosebud detail. The year American figure skater, Peggy Fleming, won an Olympic gold medal in Grenoble she donned a chartreuse dress with a high neck and white beaded trim. Well first you win an Emmy for a performance of Carmen on ice aptly called Carmen on Ice. So much so that after television network CBS lost the rights to broadcast NFL football games, they turned to figure skating (and the Gone With the Wind sequel miniseries Scarlett, because frankly my dear, lots of people dont give a damn about football) to save their November sweeps. Of course were talking about Katarina Witt, the Olympic powerhouse who helped make figure skating among the most iconic sports during the last 40 years. That rule was overturned in the early 2000s, bringing back the pants. Which Olympic Figure Skaters Are Actually Dating? Dinamo is not just a design practice, it is a way of thinking that applies interesting concepts to a wide range of production areas, from typography and design to research and consulting. The key takeaway: she was good. Lia Beck. The American skater performing her free skating program during the ladies singles event at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long. As for more pop culture Katarina Witt treasures? As the New York Times recently noted, two-time gold medalist Katarina Witt has written about how, in 1987, her costume slipped during a competition and she was forced to finish the routine with. Tonya Harding in a sparkly red number at the 1994 Winter Games. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. ), The 80s may have set the rink stage, but the 90s are where Katarina Witt really gets her pop culture creds. One outfit, a feathered blue number worn by East Germany's Katarina Witt at the 1988 Olympic games (pictured below), was deemed too scandalous by the International Skating Union. German figure skater Katarina Witt is known as one of the greatest of all time in her sport, thanks in part to her back-to-back Olympic gold medals. But behind the curtain, her East . Her red dress with a sheer chest panel at the 1988 Olympics abided by the Katarina Rule.