Andree Brunet French figure skater who competed in pairs figure skating Date of Birth: 16.09.1901 Country: USA

Biography of Andrée Joly-Brunet

Andrée Joly-Brunet was a French figure skater who competed in pairs figure skating with her partner and later husband, Pierre Brunet. They were two-time Olympic champions in 1928 and 1932. The pair of Andrée Joly and Pierre Brunet are considered pioneers of many elements in modern pairs skating. They are credited with creating the mirrored rink, as well as new transitions, lifts, and spins.

At their first Olympic Games in 1924 in Chamonix, this pair performed more diverse elements than anyone before. However, the judges felt that they were performing too many "tricks" and placed the duo only in third place. Other skaters took note of this new style, and it quickly became a common phenomenon in the sport. Joly and Brunet continued to perform elements that had never been seen in pairs skating before. Joly was also one of the first female skaters to wear a black costume to match her partner's (traditionally, women performed in white). Soon, Joly/Brunet began to dominate in the world of pairs skating. They won the French national championships from 1924 to 1935 and became four-time world champions (1926, 1928, 1930, and 1932). They were also Olympic champions in 1928 and 1932.

In a protest against Nazi Germany, they refused to participate in the 1936 Olympics. Joly and Brunet also competed in singles competitions. Joly placed 5th in the 1924 Olympics and 11th in the 1928 Olympics. Additionally, she was the French champion in women's singles skating from 1921 to 1931.

Andrée and Pierre got married in 1929, and she later competed under the name Joly-Brunet. In 1936, they retired from amateur competition and toured Europe and Canada with show tours. In 1940, the Brunets emigrated to the United States. They became coaches and trained future Olympic champions Carol Heiss and Scott Hamilton. They worked in New York, Illinois, and Michigan until they retired in 1979.

The couple had a son, Jean-Pierre, who became the U.S. champion in pairs skating with Donna Jeanne Pospisil in 1945 and 1946. In 1976, the Brunets were inducted into the Figure Skating Hall of Fame.