Skating legends celebrate 40th anniversary of Olympic glory‘It gives us chills to think about it,’ says Christopher Dean
Torvill and Dean, the British duo who helped revolutionise ice-skating when they won Olympic gold in Sarajevo 40 years ago on Wednesday, do not celebrate Valentine’s Day. “For us, it is Boléro Day,” said Christopher Dean referring to the Maurice Ravel composition that became synonymous with his and Jayne Torvill’s triumphant 1984 routine. “If we are not together, we call each other to say: ‘Happy Boléro day.’”
The routine, which began with the two swaying together on their knees in purple outfits, cemented their status as household names in Britain. Now, a year from planned retirement, they are back in the city to perform with local children, many of whom are just starting out on the ice.