8 things skaters don't say in interviews

It is believed that skates first appeared 5,000 years ago. They were invented by the Finns and made from animal bones. Later they became wood and metal. Since then, many sports have emerged where athletes use ice skating, including figure skating, which today is a fan favorite and an exciting sport that many love.

We know that being a professional athlete is difficult and even dangerous. But these 8 facts about figure skating amazed us.

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1. Skaters "buy" partners for pair skating.

For every male skater, there are about 100 skaters, so finding a partner often turns into a real hunt. Girls are ready to do everything to get the perfect partner. Thus, some of them offer money to male athletes to pay for their training and equipment, which can be very expensive.

2. Skaters can suppress dizziness.

Athletes perform complex movements that include bending and tilting the head back. If an ordinary person finds himself in this position, his body will spin and fall. According to the researchers, new neurons are formed in the skaters' cerebellum, which prevents such reactions.

3. They receive fewer points for the wrong costumes.

Athlete clothing should not be provocative or overly revealing. These rules apply to the neckline (by the way, deep necklines are also prohibited for men), as well as to the length and shape of the skirt. In 1988, figure skater Katarina Witt confused the judges with her outfit, which they considered too theatrical and open. After that, a new rule was adopted called the "Katarina Rule". According to him, the skater's skirt should cover the hips and crotch.

4. Suit problems can become critical.

The costume should be beautiful and bright. Both women's and men's suits are usually decorated with beads, sequins, or rhinestones. Even these decorations are strictly regulated by the rules - all these elements must be properly attached to the clothes. Any dropped button or rhinestone can cost an athlete several points because even a trifle can complicate the performance of participants on the ice. This is why it is extremely rare for skaters to choose outfits with feathers or fringes. Also for these reasons, they refuse to wear various accessories and hair clips.

6. Gloves are not just for beauty.

This element is usually part of the look and complements the costume. But gloves also have a practical function - they protect the hands of athletes from cuts and injuries if they have to touch the ice with their hands.

7. Not only stuffed toys are thrown onto the ice.

Previously, fans gave flowers to their favorite athletes. However, the flower petals left on the ice were a real disaster - they covered most of the ice and took a long time to clean. It was then that inventive fans decided to switch to stuffed toys. However, even today we can see bouquets in plastic bags or plastic wrap and other gifts on ice. For example, in 2015, Gracie Gold received a giant bear with cups of peanut butter in her backpack.

8. Skaters must choose their underwear carefully.

When performing more complex movements, the skater must be sure that her costume does not move. This is why the comfort of the bottom of a suit is a rather delicate topic that gets a lot of attention. Athletes carefully select underwear, the presence or absence of which should not be manifested in any way. As a rule, the lower part of the suit is sewn into tights. Some athletes use hairspray for better hold.