Read on PBS NewsThe Skating Cameraman: How Jordan Cowan Captures Olympic Emotion on Ice
Former U.S. ice dancer Jordan Cowan has pioneered a new role at the Winter Olympics: the on-ice camera operator. Skating backward in an ice-white tuxedo, Cowan captures the raw, intimate moments of triumph and defeat as figure skaters complete their programs. Working for Olympic Broadcasting Services, his unique perspective, born from his own competitive background, provides global audiences with unprecedented access to athletes' emotions, blending technical innovation with an athlete's understanding of the 'sacred' ice.
For decades, Olympic figure skating broadcasts have relied on static overhead shots and distant sideboard cameras. At the Milan Cortina Winter Games, a new perspective emerged, gliding silently onto the rink. Jordan Cowan, a former U.S. competitive ice dancer, has become the first camera operator to skate on the Olympic figure skating ice, offering viewers an intimate, ground-level window into the sport's most powerful human moments.
A Pioneering Role on Sacred Ice
The concept of an on-ice camera operator is not new to sports like speed skating or hockey, but for figure skating, it represents a revolutionary shift. Cowan, through his company On Ice Perspectives, has carved out this unique niche. His mission is to capture what he calls the "sacred" space of the ice at the precise moment a skater's performance ends. Dressed in an ice-white tuxedo to be as inconspicuous as possible, he skates backward after each program, his camera capturing the raw, unfiltered flood of emotion—whether it's unbridled joy or profound disappointment.
The Art of Capturing Emotion
Cowan's work is less about documenting athletic technique and more about storytelling. He is not on the ice during the routines themselves but enters immediately after the final pose. This timing is critical. "To be the first person out on the ice at the end of their performance is such a privilege, and I definitely want them to feel their feelings," Cowan explained in an interview. His presence provides a silent, respectful witness to a competitor's most vulnerable instant, broadcasting that intimacy to a global audience and to spectators on the arena's big screens.
The emotional contrast was starkly evident during American skater Ilia Malinin's performances. After nailing his long program in the team competition, helping Team USA win gold, Malinin excitedly punched toward Cowan's camera in celebration. Days later, after a mistake-filled free skate in the singles competition, Cowan maintained a respectful distance as Malinin's face crumpled in disappointment. In such moments, Cowan sees his role as a reassuring presence: "I'm there to tell the audience, 'It's going to be OK, he's still here.'"
From Competitor to Creator
Cowan's unique qualifications stem from his own career. After retiring from competitive skating in 2011, he worked in ballroom dancing and was inspired by how television motivated amateurs. He wanted to bring that same inspiration to figure skating. In 2018, he founded On Ice Perspectives, creating viral social media content that showcased skating from new angles. This work led to opportunities filming U.S. Championships, international ice shows, and ultimately, the Olympics with the Olympic Broadcasting Services.
Technical Innovation and Athletic Skill
The role demands more than just skating ability; it requires significant technical innovation and physical conditioning. Cowan trains with Pilates and yoga to handle the physical demands of operating a heavy camera while matching an athlete's speed. He has designed his own custom rig, starting with a lightweight steady-cam mounted on an electronic stabilized gimbal to keep the horizon level. He has added manual focus, cinema zoom, and wireless transmission capabilities. His deep familiarity with skaters' patterns and programs, honed from years of training alongside competitors, allows him to anticipate movements and stay safely out of the way. "The perfect compliment I get," he says, "is when the skaters say they didn't even realize I was out there."
Building Trust and Capturing Connection
A significant part of Cowan's success is the trust he builds with the athletes. Many skaters, realizing he has a microphone, use the moment to send quick messages to loved ones at home or make heart signs with their hands for the camera. "For that brief window at the end of the program... by having this silent camera slowly available to you, it gives a special moment that we have never been able to capture before," Cowan noted. This connection transforms a broadcast technical role into a deeply human interaction.
The Future of Sports Broadcasting
Jordan Cowan's work at the Milan Cortina Games represents a significant evolution in how we experience Olympic sports. By merging athletic prowess with cinematic storytelling, he has added a new emotional dimension to figure skating coverage. His pioneering role demonstrates how insider knowledge and technological creativity can break broadcasting conventions, offering audiences not just a view of the sport, but a feel for its heart and soul. As he prepares for future galas and competitions, Cowan continues to redefine the boundaries between athlete, artist, and storyteller, all while skating backward on the world's most famous ice.
