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Surya Bonaly

Surya Bonaly is a French former competitive figure skater best known for performing a backflip on one blade at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Surya Bonaly is a French former competitive figure skater best known for performing a backflip on one blade at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. The move was illegal under International Skating Union rules at the time, and she became the first Olympic figure skater to land a one-blade backflip in competition.

1998 Winter Olympics backflip

Bonaly performed the backflip during her free skate in Nagano. It drew attention because it was executed on one blade despite being prohibited in competition at the time.

Rule status of the backflip

The International Skating Union had banned backflips in figure skating before the 1998 Olympics because the move was considered dangerous and inconsistent with landing on one skate. Bonaly’s Olympic backflip was therefore illegal under the rules then in force.

Legacy

Bonaly’s Olympic backflip became one of the best-known moments in figure skating history. The move is still strongly associated with her name and is commonly discussed as a landmark in the sport.

Key facts

  • Bonaly landed a backflip on one blade during her free skate at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.
  • The backflip was banned by the International Skating Union at the time.
  • She was the first Olympic figure skater to complete a one-blade backflip.
  • The move became widely associated with her and is often called the “Bonaly backflip.”
  • She competed for France at three Winter Olympics.

Frequently asked questions

What is Surya Bonaly best known for?
She is best known for landing a backflip on one blade at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano.
Was the backflip legal when Bonaly performed it?
No. The International Skating Union had banned backflips in figure skating at the time.
Was Bonaly the first skater to do a backflip at the Olympics?
No. She was the first to do a backflip on one blade at the Olympics. Terry Kubicka had earlier performed a two-footed Olympic backflip.
What is the “Bonaly backflip”?
It is the figure-skating backflip variation associated with Surya Bonaly, especially her one-blade Olympic version.
Which Olympics did Bonaly compete in?
She competed for France at the 1992, 1994, and 1998 Winter Olympics.
Did Bonaly retire after the Nagano Olympics?
Yes. She retired from competitive figure skating soon after the 1998 Winter Olympics.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya_Bonaly
    Supports: States that Bonaly was the first Olympic figure skater to land a backflip on one blade and did so at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backflip_(figure_skating)
    Supports: Explains that the ISU banned backflips in 1977 and that Bonaly performed the first one-blade Olympic backflip in 1998.
  3. CBS News — https://www.cbsnews.com/news/surya-bonaly-backflip-olympics-years-before-ilia-malinin/
    Supports: Reports that Bonaly performed the first Olympic figure-skating backflip by a woman and that the move was banned by the ISU at the time.
  4. USA TODAY — https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/13/surya-bonaly-olympics-backflip-ilia-malinin/88641085007/
    Supports: Confirms Bonaly’s 1998 one-blade backflip, the ISU ban, and her three Olympic appearances for France.