If you are a competitive roller skater who reaches for speed in competitions or seeks perfection in artistic routines with jumps and spins you may feel like an ugly stepchild compared with your ice skating counterparts. You aren’t alone – roller skaters for decades have been vying for inclusion in the Olympics, ink and screen time from the media, and awareness among the public. Meanwhile, you are among skaters who must combat many frustrating myths about roller sports.
Roller Derby
Many people associate all roller skating competitions with roller derby dames. Roller derby competitions do exist. However, skaters also compete in speed and figure competitions as well as on roller hockey teams. There are divisions for quad and inline skates for speed skating. Figure competitions are similar to those on ice – singles competitions feature jumps and spins, pairs skating competitions that require spins, jumps and footwork. Skaters also compete in dance and in figures competitions in which skaters trace a series of figure patterns on the floor.
Old School Skates
Quad skates are frequently thought of as heavy, clunky and old-school. However, the frame on those used for speed and figure competitions feature lightweight titanium, wheels use aircraft aluminum hubs and boots feature lightweight microfiber compounds, notes Carlesa Williams in the Nov. 27, 2010, USA Rollersports article titled “Roller Figure Skating Finds a Place in the Limelight.”
Popularity
People often regard roller skating as a sports that is not all that popular. However, mroe than 50 million people on five continents participate. Some areas have larger followings than others. In Europe, for example, a professional racing circuit exists. You may not hear about roller skaters and their accomplishments much, however. One reason is that skaters often switch to ice because it is included in the Olympic Games. In fact, during the last three Olympics, some 65 percent of the U.S. medals in ice speed skating were netted by roller skaters who crossed to the ice, including Apolo Anton Ohno who won five Olympic medals.
Olympics
Roller skating is not an Olympic sport. As far back as the 1970s people have been saying it’s going to get into the Olympics. It is true that people who favor the sport have been vying to get it into the Olympics for decades. It even looks like there might be a shot at the 2016 Olympic Games, according to the Aug. 11, 2009, USA Rollersports article, “Olympic Aspirations,” by Chros McDougall. The international governing body for the sport, Federation Internationale de Roller Sports, has placed a proposal to include 10 inline speed skating events – five for men and five for women. Events submitted include a marathon and 500-, 1000-, 10,000- and 15,000-meter races. The latter four events would take place on a banked track, similar to that used for track cycling. Previously, closest roller sports came to gaining Olympic inclusion was in 1992 when roller hockey was featured as a demonstration sport at the Barcelona Games.
Member Comments