<P> Multi-revolution jumps are not permitted but "half" jumps are now allowed . Spins must be performed by both skaters revolving around the same axis, the same as in pair spins . </P> <P> Many of the compulsory dances were developed by dancers from Great Britain in the 1930s . Ice dancing joined the World Championships in 1952 . 12 of the first 16 World Championships in ice dance were won by British teams . The British style of ice dance originally emphasized upright carriage and strong edges achieved by deep knee bend . Beginning in the 1960s, Eastern European skaters started a trend to dance in more open positions, which allowed for greater speed over the ice, more upper - body involvement, and greater projection towards the audience . </P> <P> Ice dancing, then known as "rhythmic skating," was a demonstration event at the 1968 Winter Olympics at Grenoble, won by the team of Diane Towler and Bernard Ford of Great Britain . It became an official medal event eight years later in 1976 at Innsbruck, with the first title won by Lyudmila Pakhomova / Aleksandr Gorshkov . </P> <P> In the 1970s, top Soviet dancers began to develop a more theatrical style of ice dancing incorporating elements of ballet and often based on narrative program themes . The Russian style of dance emphasized extended line and speed, rather than difficult rhythmic footwork . In some cases, elaborate choreography for the upper body was used to camouflage fundamental deficiencies of skating technique . </P>

When did ice dancing debut in the olympics