Katarina Witt's Biography

Katarina Witt was born on 3 December 1965 in Staaken, East Germany.

She began skating when she was just 5 years old. At 15, she won the first of her eight German national skating titles.

Katarina Witt won consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1988, becoming the first figure skater since the 1930s to win consecutive Olympic golds.

Time magazine related how Katarina Witt and Debi Thomas both chose Bizet's Carmen as the music for their long program in the 1988 Olympics.

Witt's accolades include becoming World Champion four times.

After the 1988 World Championships, Katarina Witt left amateur skating to pursue a professional career.

She toured with Brian Boitano in their show Witt and Boitano Skating, and toured as a guest star in Stars on Ice and Champions on Ice.

Together with Elisabeth Gottmann, Katarina Witt went on to produce ice shows.

She has also appeared on TV as a skating expert during world championships and Olympic Games.

In 2011, it was announced that she was to be one of the judges on Dancing on Ice in 2012.