While Olympic figure skaters tend to look incredibly graceful and elegant on screen, the still photos of their performances tell a somewhat different story.
The intense facial expressions of these skaters convey how physically difficult the sport is - it takes a lot of strength and athleticism to be able to nail these routines on the ice.
We've pulled several photos from the Sochi Olympics figure skating competition that illustrate the intensity of the sport.
Jenna McCorkell of Britain:
![Figure skating](http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/53061a18ecad04e12716d23e-1200-924/figure-skating-3.jpg?maxX=800)
REUTERS/Alexander Demianchuk
Britain's Jenna McCorkell competes during the figure skating women's short program at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Mao Asada of Japan:
![Figure skating](http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53061ab26da8115d0e80b850-1200-924/figure-skating-4.jpg)
REUTERS/Alexander Demianchuk
Japan's Mao Asada competes during the Figure Skating Women's Short Program at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
Anne Line Gjersem of Norway:
![Figure skating](http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53061b1369bedd7d3db86a11-1200-924/figure-skating-5.jpg)
REUTERS/Alexander Demianchuk
Norway's Anne Line Gjersem competes during the figure skating women's short program at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
Carolina Kostner of Italy:
![Figure skating](http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/53061bea6da8115b0e80b856-1200-924/figure-skating-6.jpg)
Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Carolina Kostner of Italy competes in the Figure Skating Ladies' Short Program on day 12 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
Mae Berenice Meite of France:
![Figure skating](http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/53061dbd6bb3f7d70416d246-1200-924/figure-skating-7.jpg)
AP
Mae Berenice Meite of France competes in the women's short program figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Abzal Rakimgaliev of Kazakhstan:
![Figure skating](http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/53061e696bb3f7f60716d248-1200-924/figure-skating-8.jpg)
REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Kazakhstan's Abzal Rakimgaliev competes during the figure skating men's short program at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
Florent Amodio of France:
![Figure skating](http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53061ed4eab8ea0f4e16d23e-1200-924/figure-skating-9.jpg)
REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
France's Florent Amodio competes during the figure skating men's free skating program at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan:
![Figure skating](http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/53061f37ecad04913816d23e-1200-924/figure-skating-10.jpg)
REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu competes during the Figure Skating Men's Free Skating Program at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
Yakov Godorozha of Ukraine:
![Figure skating](http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53061f8d6bb3f7930f16d242-1200-924/figure-skating-11.jpg)
AP
Yakov Godorozha of Ukraine competes in the men's free skate figure skating final at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Yakov Godorozha of Ukraine:
![Figure skating](http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/53061fcc6da811a91d80b85f-1200-924/figure-skating-12.jpg)
AP
Yakov Godorozha of Ukraine competes in the men's short program figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Felicia Zhang and Nathan Bartholomay of the U.S.:
![Figure skating](http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/530615b36da811877380b851-1200-924/figure-skating.jpg)
REUTERS/David Gray
Felicia Zhang (top) and Nathan Bartholomay of the U.S. compete during the figure skating pairs free skating at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia:
![Figure skating](http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/530616716da8110b7380b854-1200-924/figure-skating-1.jpg)
REUTERS/Alexander Demianchuk
Russia's Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov compete during the Figure Skating Pairs Free Skating Program at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
Paige Lawrence and Rudi Swiegers of Canada:
![Figure skating](http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/530618156da8110b0480b850-1200-924/figure-skating-2.jpg)
REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson
Canada's Paige Lawrence and Rudi Swiegers compete during the Figure Skating Pairs Free Skating Program at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.