Madge Syers
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Florence Madeleine "Madge" Syers (born Cave) (1881-September 1917) was a British figure skater. She was the first woman to compete in the sport, and became the first female World and Olympic champion.
In 1902, Syers was allowed to enter the World Championships which, until then, had been an all-male affair. She surprisingly took second place behind Ulrich Salchow, and officials decide to exclude women from entering in the future. Only in 1906 a separate championship for women was established, which was won by Syers.
Syers also won the 1907 World Championships, and competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics, which feature the first Olympic figure skating events. She easily won the title (her only adversary that could beat her, Lily Kronberger, was not present). In addition, she won a bronze medal in pairs event, skating with her husband and coach, Edgar Syers.