The Ferguson colour television, that sat in the corner of the large lounge at my Nanak home. Very few people had a colour television of such size. She purchased it, so her evenings and spare time, outside of her work for Vospers, was spent knitting sweaters for my brother and I, watching television programmes. Often this included sport, particularly football, that was and still is the great favourite of my Uncles. When the first Olympics in my life was televised, I was fascinated to watch so many of the events on the full colour screen. Too my childhood eyes, the athletes fitness and enthusiasm, the flags, the endurance of the track eventers, the amazing delivery of fantastic routines as I remember is by particularly, the Russian gymnasts.
Yet my lasting memory, that developed into a real favourite sport in the Olympics, arose from the performance by a UK couple Torvill and Dean, ice skating to Ravell. It was unique for several reasons. The United Kingdom were often not the gold medal winners in events. Yet this couple dominated in figure skating. I watched the figure skating with great interest. I was not a talented skater myself, tall gawky, even at a young age, lacking coordination. So the elegant movements of both men and women, synchronised perfectly, to fantastic music variations, was by far my favourite event to watch.
Most of the couples delivered their six minute piece, with three pieces of music. Costumes to reflect the artistic interpretation of the piece, with great costumes. Torvill and Dean broke the mould. the six minutes were one entire piece of music. The costumes had the deep purple and blue shading. The dress with a pre raphelite bodice, gold trim and wisps of sheer layered viscose fabric. The piece I remember to this day. The music and the choreography perfectly balanced. It was a joy to watch the synchronicity of the pair. WIthout any doubt, I remember the scores posted below their beaming faces, all perfect sixes.
This without a doubt informed my love of watching that sport for the olympics. It embodies all of my favourite things, music, ice ( snow and ice my favourite weather combo) and cool costumes. I particularly like it as it maintains a real sense of gender. Men and women on the same team. Competing together, complimenting each other. Without any doubt my favourite Olympic sport … 2024 in Paris her I come!