Rockin' the rink with vibrant styles

Figure skaters wore it loud and proud at Beijing 2022

There aren't many Olympic sports that involve sequins, leather and spandex. But figure skating is the notable exception, with the rink a kaleidoscopic disco of glitter and glamor.

Here's AFP's pick of some of the most interesting costumes from the Beijing Winter Olympics:

Different Eltons

There were two Elton John programs at Beijing 2022－but with very different sartorial interpretations.

Canada's Paul Poirier and Piper Gilles turned up to the ice dance in matching fluorescent orange unitards, a homage to John's own notoriously flamboyant style.

"You walk out and people are like, 'You guys are like a sunset'," Gilles told the Washington Post.

Asked by the Post what the best thing anyone had said about their costumes was, she replied:"That we have great butts."

At the other end of the spectrum was gold medalist Nathan Chen's Rocket Man costume.

There wasn't a sequin in sight on the American's orange galaxy-printed shirt, which looked more like a running top than a traditional figure skating costume.

Chen said it was designed by celebrity fashion designer Vera Wang and was a "modern chic aesthetic".

"You don't really argue with Vera Wang," he chuckled. "Whatever she gives you－'Ah, cool, I'll take it.'"