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Pierre BrunetFrench figure skater who competed in pairs figure skating
Date of Birth: 28.06.1902
Country:  France |
Content:
Biography of Pierre Brunet
Pierre Brunet was a French figure skater who competed in pairs figure skating with his partner and later wife, Andrée Joly-Brunet. They were two-time Olympic champions in 1928 and 1932. The couple is considered the pioneers of many elements in modern pairs skating. They are credited with creating the mirrored ice rink, as well as new lifts, holds, and spins.
On their first Olympic Games in 1924 in Chamonix, they won the bronze medal. They won the French National Championships from 1924 to 1935 and were four-time world champions in 1926, 1928, 1930, and 1932. They were also Olympic champions in 1928 and 1932. In protest against Nazi Germany, they refused to participate in the 1936 Olympics.
In addition to pairs skating, both Andrée and Pierre also competed in singles events. As a single skater, Pierre Brunet became the French champion ten times. He finished eighth at the 1924 Winter Olympics and seventh at the 1928 Olympics.
Personal Life and Legacy
Pierre Brunet married Andrée Joly in 1929, and she later competed under the name Andrée Joly-Brunet. In 1936, they retired from amateur skating and embarked on show tours in Europe and Canada. In 1940, the Brunets immigrated to the United States, where they became coaches and trained future Olympic champions such as Carol Heiss and Scott Hamilton, among many others. They worked in New York, Illinois, and Michigan until their retirement in 1979.
The couple had a son named 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 World Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
