With the grace and elegance of ballet dancers and the stamina of marathon runners, figure skaters epitomize the best of what winter sports has to offer. The agility and fragile nature of the athlete is what makes the sport unique.

Although many might consider figure skating more art form than sport, it is a balance of beauty and athleticism. The ability to leap into the air and complete three revolutions in a matter of seconds overwhelms the senses of many. The precision of the skates as they glide effortlessly across the ice in tempo with music can enthrall an audience and set a mood of romance, tension, joyfulness or whimsy. The "death drop" spirals, lateral splits and throw triple loops can conjure up images of bruising contact; yet, when done expertly by champions these moves flow easily like 'poetry in motion'.

Some might argue that judges have no place in competitive sport and that human emotion is what drives competition. After all, there is no real' score, no bat waving, fist flying or end zone dance to celebrate in figure skating competition. Yet, the countless hours and training required to complete a three to four minute skating routine can numb the toughest pro football, baseball, basketball or soccer player.

The tiny pixies' and lithe dancers of the sport are not immune to broken bones or bruising. Their physical prowess is only eclipsed by their mental fortitude.

Is figure skating a sport? Consider the fact that the skills required to excel include dancing, skating, routine weight lifting, yoga, Pilates, cycling and other hosts of exercises, I would say that figure skating at this point rates more sport than let's say curling, but then again, that's another debate and topic of interest.

Learn more about this author, FM Lepore.
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