Skeleton

History

Sleds have been around for thousands of years. They have been found in cold Scandinavian countries and the warm sands of Egypt as far back as 4,000 years ago. They first used sleds to help move things from place to place.

In the early 1880s, English soldiers stationed in Switzerland made a curved road (track) between two cities where they would use metal sleds to get back and forth. They would use this to help transport supplies and to have fun. Soon after, people started using the metal sleds more for fun, and a few years later, it would become a major sporting event.

In the late 1880s, in St. Mortiz, Switzerland, a famous track called “outdoor enthusiasts built Cresta Run.” This track attracted athletes from all over Europe, including bobsledding and luge. A few years later, the new sport of skeleton became a major sport with significant competition.

In 1892, an Englishman named Mr. Child made a new metal sled that some said looked like a skeleton. The new sled and, shortly after, the sport was called “skeleton.” Riders lay on their stomach, their head at the front of the sleds, then move down the track to the finish line.

Equipment Used

Sled, helmet, spiked boots, and gloves.

The sleds are made of steel and fiberglass with two blades on the bottom and can go about 129-145 kph (80-90 mph).

They are about 79-119 cm (31-47 in) long and about 46 cm (18 in) wide.

The track is about 1,615 m (1 mi) with multiple curves. The track has a different layout for every Olympics.

Rules

Each athlete gets four runs (takes four turns) down the track, and after all of the runs are completed, the judges will add up their times. The athlete with the fastest time wins.

2 events in this category

• Women’s event: (Added to the Salt Lake City, (USA) Olympics in 2002)
  
  (2010 Vancouver gold medal winner (Great Britain) Amy Williams)
• Men’s event: (Added to the Olympics for the years 1928 in St. Moritz (Switzerland) & 1948 in San Moritz (Switzerland) and was permanently added in 2002 at the Salt Lake City (USA) Winter Olympics)
  
  (2010 Vancouver gold medal winner (Canada) Jon Montgomery)

Women’s Event Team Russia’s Olympic Committee (ROC) 2022 Beijing (Push Start)

Men’s Event Team Ireland 2010 Vancouver