The only Olympic figure skater to successfully land a backflip on one skate blade!

by | Oct 2, 2018 | History, Profiles in Black History, UI Daily | 0 comments

She fought against a racist system in a white-dominated sport with fire, she did the unbelievable and stayed true to herself at every single step, even though they continued to try to knock her down!

Learn more and watch the amazing backflip below!

  • Award-winning French figure skater and PETA activist.
  • The only Olympic figure skater to successfully land a backflip on one skate blade.
  • Originally trained as a gymnast but switched to figure skating at the age of eleven.
  • Rose above many challenges in her career including breaking both wrists during a fall and rupturing her Achilles tendon during practice.
  • Was famous for her jumps and risky moves as well as her bold and unusually colored costumes.
  • Removed her silver medal during the ceremony at the 1994 World Championships because she believed she should have won first place instead of second.
  • Became an American citizen in 2004 and is a proud vegetarian and advocate for animal rights.

We encourage you and your children to learn more about this amazing lady and please also share anything interesting you find with us! We love to learn too.

SURYA FEATURES IN VOLUME 2 OF OUR BLACK HISTORY FLASHCARDS, DEDICATED 100% TO AMAZING BLACK WOMEN. YOU CAN STILL GRAB YOUR DECK TODAY WITH 40% OFF, HERE.

And that famous backflip!

SURYA FEATURES IN VOLUME 2 OF OUR BLACK HISTORY FLASHCARDS, DEDICATED 100% TO AMAZING BLACK WOMEN. YOU CAN STILL GRAB YOUR DECK TODAY WITH 40% OFF, HERE.

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