Frances Dafoe has died at the age of 86 ©Skate Canada

Skate Canada have announced the death of Olympic figure skating silver medallist Frances Dafoe at the age of 86.

Dafoe was described by the organisation as a "pioneer in pair skating" and have offered their "sincere sympathies" to her family and friends.

Norris Bowden and Dafoe became the first Canadian pairing to win World Championship gold medal when they triumphed in Oslo in 1954, before defending their title the following year in Vienna.

The pair were also runners-up in 1953 and 1956, while they secured another silver medal at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

As well as the four Canadian pairs titles they claimed between 1952 and 1956, Dafoe and Bowden were also crowned ice dance champions in 1952.

Former top skater Frances Dafoe designed the costumes for the Closing Ceremonies at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, in addition to her sporting career ©Allsport UK/Allsport
Former top skater Frances Dafoe designed the costumes for the Closing Ceremonies at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, in addition to her sporting career ©Allsport UK/Allsport

The success saw Dafoe be inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1955, before entering the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame three years later.

She received the Order of Canada in 1991, while in 1993 was inducted into the Skate Canada Hall of Fame.

Following the conclusion of her competitive career, Dafoe became and Olympic judge and a costume designer, having graduate of the famed Parsons School of Design in New York City.

She worked for Canadian broadcaster CBC for 40 years to design costumes for a variety of shows, while Dafoe also designed the costumes for the Closing Ceremonies at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.