What Is the Olympic Sport Skeleton?

If you have been wondering what is the Olympic sport skeleton, we are here to answer your burning question! Perhaps you think that "skeleton" sounds more like it should be for Halloween than for the Olympics. While there are certainly risks involved, as there are with all sports, the sport has nothing to do with ghouls and goblins!

Basic Premise of the Sport of Skeleton

Skeleton is a sledding event played at the winter Olympics. Like many other sledding events, skeleton involves racing a sled down an icy track. However, the difference between skeleton and other events, such as luge, is that in skeleton, the people race down face first. Ok, so maybe it does sound a little bit scary!

Men and women's teams are separated, as they are with other types of Olympic sports. Early in the day, there will be a first run. The top players from the first run will compete in the second run, which is held later on during the day. At the end of the second run, the scores from both of the runs are combined, and the winners announced based upon those combined times.

Rules and Regulations of Skeleton Sledding

The sled may only be ridden in the face first position, and the rider must lie on his or her stomach. The rider is permitted to get off of the sled during the race if he or she needs to push it or move it along. Upon crossing the finish line the rider must be on the sled, face first, in the stomach position. If the rider is not in that position when crossing the finish line, that rider's race will be considered invalid.

One hour before the competition starts, a reference runner will be placed outside. By runner we mean sled, not the actual person. When the race starts, all of the other sleds must be within 4 degrees Celsius of that reference runner. If they are not, they cannot be used. This is done in order to prevent warming of the sled. Warming of the sled would allow the sled that had been warmed to slide faster than the other ones.

History of the Sport of Skeleton Sledding

In 1892, a new metal sled was produced, and someone commented that it looked like a skeleton. Around that time, the first organized competition occurred in Saint Moritz, a Swiss village.

In 1928, skeleton made its first appearance at the Olympics, which was held at Saint Moritz. However, it vanished from the Olympic scene until 1948 when it was held there again. Once again, the sport disappeared and did not return and become a regular Olympic event until 2002 at Salt Lake City. Before that time, skeleton had only been performed by men in the Olympics. The 2002 Olympics was the first time that women were involved in the game.

Become a Fan of the Olympic Sport of Skeleton

Now that you actually know about skeleton sledding, you can begin preparing to become a fan of it and cheer for some of your favorite skeleton aficionados at the next winter Olympics. You have plenty of time to get ready!