21 Photos That Prove Figure Skating Is the Hardest, Most Insane Sport in the Olympics

Raise your hand if every time figure skating is shown on the Olympics you can’t tear your eyes away. *Hand shoots up*

It’s crazy how elegantly these Olympaians move across that ice. In their skates. On live TV. In front of millions. I can barely walk down the street without tripping over a stick, ya know?

To commemorate our favorite Olympic sport, we’ve compiled the coolest photos snapped that capture the action and elegance of figure skating. Take a look and ponder (and swoon) with us about how the heck these talented figure skaters do what they do.

Disclaimer: These are completely unscientific names we’ve given each move. We repeat: These are not what these moves are actually called.

  1. The knee head.

    A handstand. On a knee. On the ice. Need we say more?

  2. Musical airs.

    It’s like a mixture of musical chairs and karaoke, but while defying gravity.

  3. Lickety-split.

    Where’s the banana to go along with this split?

  4. The not-so-final bow.

    Lady in red is actually lady in gold. Bravo.

  5. Spirit leap.

    How did she even get there? And, um, how are his legs not in excruciating pain?

  6. Salsa spin.

    Just some casual salsa dancing on the ice. We can’t imagine what would happen if she accidentally let go!

  7. Through the window.

    Oh, hello there. This feels awkward. But also really, really cool.

  8. The woosh.

    Because that’s the sound this *crosses out figure skater* magician is definitely uttering under his breath.

  9. The tight squeeze.

    Do you think he’s breathing?

  10. The horizon.

    He’s all like, “Come, sail away with me until the end of time,” and she’s like, “Bro, you cray, maybe later.”

  11. The smooch sneak.

    It takes true talent to be able to stop for a little action on the ice without getting off balance.

  12. The arm-leg twirl.

    Are they in pain? Nope. Just being very not humans. How is this even happening?

  13. The human top.

    NBD.

  14. The spin span spun.

    How does someone look so elegant doing something that probably hurts like a you know what?

  15. The grab ‘n go.

    Casual sumo wrestling match amid a performance. Now that takes serious skill.

  16. Tee time.

    Perfect to a T. Literally.

  17. The ballet un-slipper.

    If she just broke her arm, we wouldn’t know.

  18. The diving board.

    Someone’s off for a swim. We really want to know how this one ended.

  19. The linear.

    How is he making it look like she weighs as much as a feather?

  20. Twinkle toes.

    Ta da!

  21. The flying trapeze.

    “I’m flying! Jack!”

How amazing are these photos of these talented figure skaters? We can’t take our eyes away!