Tale of the Tape

It will be something old and something new in the men’s short program Tursday. Old, as in Elvis Stojko versus Todd Eldredge, the longest-running rivalry in figure skating. New, as in the routines Eldredge will unveil in pursuit of his first Olympic medal. In the short program, there are eight required elements that must be completed within 2 1/2 minutes and they count for one-third of the final score. The rest comes in the more interpretive long program on Saturday.

Russians Ilia Kulik and Alexei Yagudin are other top contenders, but once again the rivalry between Canadian champion Stojko and Eldredge will be waged on a huge national stage.

A look at how Stojko and Eldredge have fared against each other in world competition:

1992 World Championships

Stojko: 3rd

Eldredge: 7th

1993 World Championships

Stojko: 2nd

Eldredge: Injured

1994 Lillehammer Olympics

Stojko: 2nd

Eldredge: Injured

1995 World Championships

Stojko: 1st

Eldredge: 2nd

1996 World Championships

Stojko: 2nd

Eldredge: 1st

1997 World Championships

Stojko: 1st

Eldredge: 2nd