The Battle of the Carmens was the name given to the rivalry between Katarina Witt and Debbie Thomas in Calgary in 1988. The two champions, great rivals, both skated their free programme on Bizet's Carmen. The reigning Olympic champion (she had won gold in Sarajevo at the age of 18), Witt, who came from the GDR, was at the top of her fame. She revolutionised Figure Skating! With Thomas, the first African-American Figure skater in history, she found her great rival. In 1986, in Tokyo, the American took the world title from her. Witt took her revenge in 1987, ahead of Thomas. Their confrontation in Calgary in February 1988 was therefore highly expected. It was even the event of the Games. But everything did not go as expected for one of the two Carmens...

News and coverage from the #1 sports destination and the #HomeofOlympics in Europe. Watch Eurosport anytime, anywhere via: https://bit.ly/3boIVvd

We bring you some of the biggest sports events in the world, such as Roland-Garros, Australian Open, Giro D’Italia, Tour De France, the World Snooker Championships and the Olympic Games, amongst so many more.

Do you want to see more? Subscribe now to watch Eurosport anytime, anywhere: https://bit.ly/3boIVvd

Like and follow our new Eurosport Snooker Channel: https://bit.ly/2XWtIO3

Follow us on:
YouTube: https://goo.gl/o9rbKg
Facebook: https://goo.gl/jMfLNR
Twitter: https://goo.gl/jxT1fY
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2TOtykZ