Q 01/05

Research suggests the earliest ice skating took place more than 4,000 years ago in which country?

A) Norway

B) Finland

C) The Netherlands

D) Russia

Answer · why

B) Finland

Bone skates about 3,500 years old have also been found at a Bronze Age site in north-west China.

Q 02/05

Which people are credited with adding sharpened edges to ice skates in the 13th or 14th century?

A) The Danes

B) The English

C) The Swedes

D) The Dutch

Answer · why

D) The Dutch

Before steel blades, skaters in London improvised with butchers' bones.

Q 03/05

The world's first mechanically frozen ice rink, the Glaciarium, opened in 1876 in which city?

A) Paris

B) New York

C) London

D) Vienna

Answer · why

C) London

John Gamgee, a veterinarian, built it in a tent in Chelsea after studying refrigeration on a trip to look at Texas cattle fever.

Q 04/05

Figure skating was the first winter sport at the Olympic Games, debuting at which Games?

A) London 1908 (Summer)

B) Chamonix 1924 (Winter)

C) Paris 1900 (Summer)

D) Lake Placid 1932

Answer · why

A) London 1908 (Summer)

Men's and women's singles were two of four skating events held that year.

Q 05/05

Which American is called the 'father of modern figure skating' for his mid-1800s innovations?

A) Dick Button

B) Jackson Haines

C) Irving Brokaw

D) Nathaniel Niles

Answer · why

B) Jackson Haines

He introduced ballet-inspired movement and found his warmest welcome in Vienna.