The International Skating Union (ISU) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary Pair Skater and Coach John Nicks of Great Britain, who passed away on November 3, 2026, at the age of 97. A decorated Pair Skater, Olympian, and World Champion, Mr. Nicks dedicated his life to Figure Skating, passing on his vast knowledge to generations of athletes throughout his coaching career.
John Allen Wisden Nicks was born on April 22, 1929, and grew up in Brighton, England. His father, who sold sporting goods, introduced John and his sister Jennifer to skating. John was nine years old when he took up the sport that would define his life. Originally, John and Jennifer competed in single skating, with John winning the British Junior title in 1947. However, coaches encouraged him to focus on pair skating alongside his sister, a partnership that had begun in 1946 with a bronze medal at the British Championships.
Being inducted into the International Skating Hall of Fame in 2001 © ISU
It was the beginning of an extraordinary competitive career. The siblings won six consecutive British pairs titles between 1947/48 and 1952/53. International success followed rapidly: they competed at the 1948 Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz, placing 8th. From 1950 to 1953, John and Jennifer reached the podium every year at both the European and World Championships. After narrowly missing the medal stand at the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo with a fourth-placed finish, the crowning achievement of their career came in 1953, when they captured both the World and European titles.
Following their World Championship triumph, the siblings turned professional to perform in ice shows. Mr. Nicks moved to South Africa to skate professionally. When a broken foot temporarily sidelined him, he began a coaching career that would span decades. After returning to Great Britain in 1960 and completing a coaching stint in Canada, Mr. Nicks ultimately settled in California, USA, where he built a legendary coaching legacy.
Mr. Nicks guided both single and pair skaters to elite international success. His world-renowned students included World Champions and Olympic medalists such as Peggy Fleming, Sasha Cohen (pictured above), Ashley Wagner, Tai Babilonia & Randy Gardner, Jenni Meno & Todd Sand, Kristi Yamaguchi & Rudy Galindo, Paul Wylie, and Christopher Bowman. Over the course of his career, "Mr. Nicks" – as he was respectfully addressed by everyone – coached more than 1,200 skaters. He was inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1993 and the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2000. Recognized as a true gentleman, he was also an early pioneer in recognizing the crucial role of mental conditioning in athletic performance.
"Whatever approach you make in those vital weeks before competition, it all must be geared toward giving the skater confidence the minute he steps out onto the ice," he noted in a 1977 interview with “Skating Magazine”.
Talking to Sasha Cohen © ISU
Mr. Nicks promoted Figure Skating far beyond the rink board. As National Skating Director of the Ice Capades Chalets – a nationwide network of rinks operated by the famous ice show company – he played a key role in expanding grassroots access to the sport across the United States.
His immense legacy endures through his former students, many of whom went on to become prominent coaches themselves. In 2021, the international pair skating competition "The John Nicks Pairs Challenge" was named in his honor.
Mr. Nicks was married twice and had two children from his first marriage, Christopher and Carolyn.
The ISU pays tribute to Mr. Nicks's remarkable career and lasting contributions to Figure Skating, extending its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire global skating community.