Madge Syers GB Figure Skater (1881-1917)

In 1908 Florence Madeline (Madge) Caves became Great Britain’s first female Olympic figure skater .

In those days, during the winter, men and women enjoyed figure skating but women were not allowed to compete in competitions- they thought it would cause too much stress on a woman’s weak body.

Madge was such an amazing skater that she gained notoriety and respect from the skating community to become an Olympic champion gold medalist.

Men only took part in competitions before Madge competed - officials checked the rules to try to stop her but found there was no explicit rules to exclude women.

She became a regular at the Prince’s Skating Club in Knightsbridge. In 1899 Madge met Edgar Syers (18 years her senior). Together they competed in pairs competitions and in 1900 they came second in one of the first pairs events staged in Berlin. Also in 1900 they got married.

Edgar became her coach and started to teach her the more fluid International style.

In 1902 she entered to compete in the Championships in in London which was regarded as an all male event. They reluctantly allowed her to compete and she came second. The winner Ulrich Salchow was so impressed by her performance that he offered her his gold medal.

In 1903 the ISU Congress voted 6 to 3 in barring women from the championship!!
In 1905 the ISU Congress established a separate ladies’ event- held at a different date and venue from the men’s event. Madge won the first two events.

The Summer Olympics in London in 1908 saw Madge compete as an individual and in the pairs event with her husband Edgar. Madge won the gold; together they won bronze.

Madge retired after the Olympics due to fading health. She died of heart failure on 9th September 1917

The Syers produced 2 books The Book of Winter Sports (1908) The Art of Skating (1913)

Her bravery and excellence helped future women show their talents to the world.

Besides being a proficient figure skater she was a gifted swimmer and equestrienne.

Sources used Wikipedia and *Women in Sport * by Rachel Ignofsky