Latest news with #Olympic gold
France 24
4 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Maertens wins thrilling world 400m men's freestyle gold
Maertens, who broke the world record earlier this year, came home in 3min 42.35sec after a fierce battle with Short, the 2023 world champion. South Korea's Kim Woo-min, the reigning world champion, was third in 3:42.60. Maertens was the favourite for the title after breaking the world record in Stockholm in April, a mark that had stood since 2009. But Short fought him every stroke of the way, losing out after an incredible tussle to the finish. The result gave Maertens his first world title after claiming Olympic gold in Paris last year. He followed that up by setting a new world record of 3:39.96, shaving 0.11sec off the mark achieved by fellow German Paul Biedermann at the world championships in Rome in July 2009. Biedermann's mark of 3:40.07 was achieved wearing a polyurethane swimsuit that has since been banned in competition. Short missed out on an Olympic medal in the event in Paris, finishing fourth. Australia's Elijah Winnington, the Paris Olympics silver medallist, surprisingly failed to qualify for the final. Short finished fastest in the morning heats ahead of Maertens.
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Skating legends Torvill and Dean sign off with a final performance of the iconic Bolero that won them gold at the 1984 Olympics
Torvill and Dean have hung up their skates for the last time after a final performance of Bolero on Saturday. Christopher Dean, 66, said it had been 'wonderful' to 'bow out on a high' with his ice dancing partner Jayne Torvill, 67. The Dancing on Ice duo took their place in British sporting history when they won gold at the 1984 Winter Games ice skating to Ravel's Bolero at the Zetra Olympic Hall in Sarajevo. The pair confirmed their retirement from skating together in 2024, 40 years on from their Olympic success. In April, they embarked on the UK leg of their farewell tour, Torvill And Dean: Our Last Dance, which culminated with four performances in their home town of Nottingham. Following their final performance together, Dean said: 'The performance went well and the audience were amazing and so, for us, to be able to bow out on a high like that was wonderful.' Asked if it had been emotional, he added: 'These last four performances here in Nottingham, the early ones were quite emotional and I think I sort of got that out of me, and tonight, it was a high.' 'We enjoyed it so much. The skating was good from our point of view, but the audience were phenomenal. They were the best audience ever.' Torvill, 67, said: 'I think we'll miss it. When you've done all these shows like this, and you're suddenly home, not doing anything, you miss that adrenaline rush and you miss the excitement of being on the ice, whether it's a practice session or a performance.' She added that they would continue to work together on other projects but said they will not be skating on the ice together. Posting a video of their last dance together, the pair said the performance would 'forever be in our hearts'. The pair became household names after their gold medal-winning performance at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics in 1984. They became the highest-scoring figure skaters of all time for a single programme. They also had success at the World, European and British Championships and returned to the Winter Games at Lillehammer in Norway in 1994 where they won bronze. After they bowed out from competitive skating, they branched out into touring, coaching and choreographing before becoming the faces of celebrity competition show Dancing On Ice, which ran from 2006 until 2014. When the show was revived in 2018 they became head judges until earlier this year when ITV announced it would be rested. Last week, the Olympic gold medallists unveiled a newly updated tram in their name to celebrate 50 years of dancing together. While a rink at the National Ice Centre was also officially named after them and a blue plaque marking their final performance together at the centre was revealed.
The Independent
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Torvill and Dean ‘bow out on a high' skating to Bolero in final performance
Christopher Dean has said it was 'wonderful' to 'bow out on a high' in his final performance with ice dancing partner Jayne Torvill. The duo, who wrote their names into British sporting history at the 1984 Winter Games, announced their retirement from skating together in 2024, 40 years on from their Olympic gold success. In April they embarked on the UK leg of their farewell tour, Torvill And Dean: Our Last Dance, which culminated with four performances in their home town of Nottingham. Following their final performance together, Dean, 66, said: 'The performance went well and the audience were amazing and so, for us, to be able to bow out on a high like that was wonderful.' Asked if it had been emotional, Dean said: 'These last four performances here in Nottingham, the early ones were quite emotional and I think I sort of got that out of me, and tonight, it was a high. 'We enjoyed it so much. The skating was good from our point of view, but the audience were phenomenal. They were the best audience ever.' Torvill, 67, said: 'I think we'll miss it. 'When you've done all these shows like this, and you're suddenly home, not doing anything, you miss that adrenaline rush and you miss the excitement of being on the ice, whether it's a practice session or a performance.' Torvill promised they would be working on other projects but said they will not be skating on the ice together. The duo secured an Olympic gold in 1984 with their ice dance to Ravel's Bolero at the Zetra Olympic Hall in Sarajevo. They also had success at the World, European and British Championships and returned to the Winter Games at Lillehammer in Norway in 1994 where they won bronze. After they bowed out from competitive skating they branched out into touring, coaching and choreographing before becoming the faces of celebrity competition show Dancing On Ice, which ran from 2006 until 2014. When the show was revived in 2018 they became head judges until earlier this year when ITV announced it would be rested. Their farewell tour of London, Belfast, Sheffield, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow included a team of professional figure skaters, some of whom have featured on Dancing On Ice.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Torvill and Dean ‘bow out on a high' skating to Bolero in final performance
Christopher Dean has said it was 'wonderful' to 'bow out on a high' in his final performance with ice dancing partner Jayne Torvill. The duo, who wrote their names into British sporting history at the 1984 Winter Games, announced their retirement from skating together in 2024, 40 years on from their Olympic gold success. Yesterday's final performance of Bolero at @nottinghamarena will forever be in our hearts 💜 #OurLastDance — Jayne and Chris (@torvillanddean) July 13, 2025 In April they embarked on the UK leg of their farewell tour, Torvill And Dean: Our Last Dance, which culminated with four performances in their home town of Nottingham. Following their final performance together, Dean, 66, said: 'The performance went well and the audience were amazing and so, for us, to be able to bow out on a high like that was wonderful.' Asked if it had been emotional, Dean said: 'These last four performances here in Nottingham, the early ones were quite emotional and I think I sort of got that out of me, and tonight, it was a high. 'We enjoyed it so much. The skating was good from our point of view, but the audience were phenomenal. They were the best audience ever.' Torvill, 67, said: 'I think we'll miss it. 'When you've done all these shows like this, and you're suddenly home, not doing anything, you miss that adrenaline rush and you miss the excitement of being on the ice, whether it's a practice session or a performance.' Torvill promised they would be working on other projects but said they will not be skating on the ice together. The duo secured an Olympic gold in 1984 with their ice dance to Ravel's Bolero at the Zetra Olympic Hall in Sarajevo. We've just skated Bolero for the final time 💜 #OurLastDance — Jayne and Chris (@torvillanddean) July 12, 2025 They also had success at the World, European and British Championships and returned to the Winter Games at Lillehammer in Norway in 1994 where they won bronze. After they bowed out from competitive skating they branched out into touring, coaching and choreographing before becoming the faces of celebrity competition show Dancing On Ice, which ran from 2006 until 2014. When the show was revived in 2018 they became head judges until earlier this year when ITV announced it would be rested. Their farewell tour of London, Belfast, Sheffield, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow included a team of professional figure skaters, some of whom have featured on Dancing On Ice.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Excitement ahead of Torvill and Dean farewell show
Fans were "excited" and "emotional" ahead of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's final ice skating show. The Olympic gold medallists were set to skate together for one final time in Nottingham on Saturday, bringing their 50-year career to an end. A rink at the National Ice Centre was also officially named after them and a blue plaque marking their final performance was revealed on Tuesday. Speaking ahead of their final performance, Laura Affleck, 44, from Nottingham, said: "We have grown up watching them and we wanted to be here before they retire." Jane Derris-Timson, from Nuneaton in Warwickshire, said she could not wait for the "iconic day" to begin. "I'm so excited I can't tell you," said Ms Derris-Timson. The 56-year-old said she had been a "big fan" ever since she watched the pair win gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics. "I've seen them a few times before and I'm quite emotional to be here on the last day," she added. "Their journey started here and they are national treasures. They've done a lot for Nottingham and the wider community." Usha Soni, 74, said she used to watch Torvill and Dean practise when she worked next to an ice rink in London. "The ice rink used to give tickets out to our office and I was lucky enough to see them perform back then," said Ms Soni. "I will be very happy for them and wish them the best of luck in the future." Ann Powell, 77, from West Bridgford, added: "I did see them perform soon after they won the Olympics many years ago, which was amazing. "They've had a really good career and I feel very lucky and special to be here." Ahead of their final performance, Christopher Dean said the pair would "always be a part of Nottingham", adding the city will always have a "special place" in their hearts. Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Torvill and Dean honoured in their home city Torvill and Dean to dance together for final time
