Belbin/Agosto are the first U.S. ice dancers to medal at the Olympic Winter Games since 1976. They are also the first U.S. ice dancers to medal at Worlds in 20 years when they took the silver in 2005. Belbin was a Canadian ice dancer who started to skate pairs (until 1997), because her coach believed it would make her stronger. In 1998, Belbin changed disciplines again and moved to Detroit. There, she teamed up with Agosto. Her mother Michele is a figure skating coach and costume designer. Belbin received U.S. citizenship in December 2005. Agosto suffered a back injury in fall 2008 that forced them to withdraw from the Grand Prix Final and the U.S. National Championships. The couple switched coaches in April 2008. Coaches Linichuk and Karpanossov are the 1980 Olympic Champions.