US Edition
Former ice dancer brings Olympic figure skating into close focus for the first time
Jordan Cowan is the first on-ice camera operator in Olympic figure skating history, capturing raw emotions for Olympic Broadcasting Services across the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.
- On Sunday, Jordan Cowan operated the steadicam on the figure skating ice during the pairs short program, becoming the first on-ice Olympic camera operator.
- Cowan started his company in 2018, inspired by televised ballroom dance, aiming to capture athletes' stories and emotions up close.
- Using a custom steadicam rig, Cowan designed a lightweight setup on an electronically stabilized gimbal and trains with Pilates and yoga to match athletes’ speed safely.
- Working for Olympic Broadcasting Services, Cowan provides footage to national broadcasting rights holders, creating a new niche for figure skating broadcasts beyond traditional camera angles.
- He will also be on the ice for medals ceremonies and the closing gala, which requires reading skaters' moves to avoid getting in the way.
76 Articles
76 Articles
Meet the cameraman who skates backward to capture Olympic triumph — and defeat
Jordan Cowan hoists his camera mount and glides across the Olympic rink as figure skating competitors warm up and, later, take their bows. Dressed in an ice-white tuxedo, he is as inconspicuous as possible.
Associated Press News
Former ice dancer brings Olympic figure skating into close focus for the first time
Former U.S. ice dancer Jordan Cowan now skates on the Olympic rink as a camera operator, giving viewers for the first time a close look at figure skaters’ emotions.
This backward-skating cameraman is redefining Olympic skating
Jordan Cowan hoists his camera mount and glides across the Olympic rink as figure skating competitors warm up and, later, take their bows. Dressed in an ice-white tuxedo, he is as inconspicuous as possible. The former U.S. competitive ice dancer is the first camera operator on figure skating ice in Olympic history, capturing intimate moments that the overhead or sideboard cameras cannot. While he isn’t on the ice during the routines, Cowan skate…
Jordan Cowan lifts his camera support and slips through the Olympic rink while the competitors of artistic skating heat up and, later, bows. Dressed in a white ice tuxedo, he tries to go as unnoticed as possible. The former competitive ice dancer of the United States is the first camera operator on the ice in the Olympic history of artistic skating, and captures intimate moments that the zenith cameras or those located on the fences cannot.
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