Ice Skating: Curry dies aged 44

JOHN CURRY, the 1976 Olympic men's figure skating champion, died yesterday, aged 44, of an Aids-related illness.

The British skater developed an innovative approach which relied on artistry as well as athleticism. Initially, competition judges were not receptive to his style. However, he did not abandon his principles and won the European title in Geneva in 1976. He added the Olympic gold medal at Innsbruck a month later and, in his last competitive championship, he collected the world title.

After retiring from competition, he lived in New York. He was diagnosed as having the HIV virus in December 1987 but continued to skate, choreograph and teach until he developed full-blown Aids in 1991, when he returned to England.

Obituary, page 13