Ice Dancing
The Olympic figure skating competition consists of four medal events: ladies singles, men's singles, pairs and ice dancing.
Ice dancing is again for couples consisting of a woman and a man skating together. Ice dancing competitions usually consist of three phases: one or more "compulsory dances"; an "original dance" to a ballroom rhythm that is designated annually; and a "free dance" to music of the skaters' own choice.
Lifts are a required element in pair skating and ice dancing. Additionally, in pairs and in ice dancing, there are pair and dance spins, during which both skaters rotate around the same axis while holding onto each other.
The results of the 2009 World Championships determined 83 total spots: 24 entries in each singles discipline, 16 in pairs, and 19 in ice dancing. In ice dancing, if a couple did not qualify to the original dance from the compulsories, they were assigned 20 points.
