Last night, history was made in Vancouver. French pairs skaters Yannick Bonheur and Vanessa James became the first black couple to compete in figure skating at the Olympic Games.
From 2002 through 2007, Yannick competed with Marylin Pla. They were the three time French national championships and placed 14th at the 2006 Winter Olympics. The Toronto-born James previously competed internationally for Britain as a single's skater. She was the 2006 British national champion and 2007 silver medalist.
Bonheur and James won the French nationals last December, booking their ticket to Vancouver and enabling James to receive French citizenship. The 27-year-old Bonheur tells Agence France Presse, "It's destiny and I'm very happy about it. There's the grace and beauty of Vanessa and then my athleticism. And the fact that we're both black brings a pleasing visual harmony."
Bonheur and Davis were 15th after the short program and scored 51.16. A few more photos AFTER THE JUMP ...
In the words of the late, great Michael Jackson... "We're taking over, We had to!"
Congratulations to Brother Bonheur and Sister James!
Posted by: Distant Lover | 15 February 2010 at 10:25
Congrats to them both! Say what you want about the French, I know they have had difficult race relations in the country but more often than not they sure know how to put a good (black) foot forward on the international stage!
I need to get my TV hooked back up ASAP! Doubt they'll medal from that standing but would love to see them skate! And uh, he's gorgeous!
Posted by: Procrastination_Xtravaganza | 15 February 2010 at 11:08
Beautiful!!! I haven't seen anyone from American soil since Debbie Thomas and French soil since Surey Bonily(sp), with her illegal back flips on skates:-)
Posted by: Diva1961 | 15 February 2010 at 11:28
Go France!
Posted by: CC | 15 February 2010 at 12:30
This is great, and they make for a stunning couple on the ice, but in reading the story, I got confused. If he placed 14th at the 2006 Olympics (albeit with a different partner), how did he make history last night as the first Black figure skating pair in the Olympics?
At any rate, it just shows how if we are introduced to something, we can learn it and excel at it. Congrats, and continued success.He ain't exactly hard on the eyes,
is he? Good Lawd!
Yannick's partner at the 2006 Olympics was white.-RM
Posted by: Bruh Luva | 15 February 2010 at 15:44
Crazy I was just watching them on youtube before I came here lol. They are a little rough around the edges but with the exposure and a little more experience together they can do something. Also he (along with the German) is some nice eye candy this olympics.
Posted by: CAJIVA | 15 February 2010 at 15:55
The look great together! Much success.
Posted by: MW09 | 15 February 2010 at 18:14
Does anyone remember that black French woman from 1994 (I think) who did the backflip?! OMG she was amaaazing. I remember thinking as a kid, "What a badass!!!"
Posted by: Michelle | 16 February 2010 at 11:04
Surya Bonaly was the "badass" backflipper.
Posted by: Anouksmom | 16 February 2010 at 13:01
I missed this - Vive la France! I did get to see Afro-German Robin Szolkowy (with Aliona Savchenko) last night tho....
Posted by: Reggieh | 16 February 2010 at 17:17
I was privileged to be at the Pairs Figure Skating - Winter Olympics - Vancouver, this pair was absolutely fantastic - they lit up the ice - they should have been placed in the top 10
Posted by: Glorieb | 25 February 2010 at 20:26
I love the notion of a black couple "lighting" up the ice.
Sweet.
Posted by: Dee | 27 February 2010 at 20:05
Hello: Where can I see their skate? I missed it.
Posted by: CW | 01 March 2010 at 23:28