<P> Figure skaters occasionally have positive doping results but it is not common . Commenting on Soviet skaters, three - time Olympic champion Irina Rodnina stated in 1991, "Boys in pairs and singles used drugs, but this was only in August or September . This was done just in training, and everyone was tested (in the Soviet Union) before competitions ." </P> <P> Although people have been ice skating for centuries, figure skating in its current form originated in the mid-19th century . A Treatise on Skating (1772) by Englishman Robert Jones, is the first known account of figure skating . Competitions were then held in the "English style" of skating, which was stiff and formal and bore very little resemblance to modern figure skating . Before the changes in figure skating techniques, there were a limited number of moves that could be performed . This was true in the mid-1800s but was later changed by American skater Jackson Haines, who was considered to be the "father of modern figure skating". He introduced a new style of skating in the mid-1860s, incorporating free and expressive techniques, which became known as the "international style ." Although popular in Europe, Haines' international style of skating was not widely adopted in the United States until long after his death . </P> <P> The ISU was founded in 1892 . The first European Championships were held in 1891, and the first World Championships were held in 1896 and won by Gilbert Fuchs . Only men competed in these events . In 1902, a woman, Madge Syers, entered the World competition for the first time, finishing second . The ISU quickly banned women from competing against men, but established a separate competition for "ladies" in 1906 . Pair skating was introduced at the 1908 World Championships, where the title was won by Anna Hübler / Heinrich Burger . Figure skating's Olympic debut came at the 1908 Summer Olympics--it was the first winter sport introduced to the Olympics . </P> <P> On March 20, 1914 an international figure skating championship was held in New Haven, Connecticut . This was the ancestor of both the United States and Canadian National Championships . However, international competitions in figure skating were interrupted by World War I . </P>

When did mens figure skating become an olympic sport