The 1997 World Figure Skating Championships were held at the CIG de Malley in Lausanne, Switzerland on March 16–23.

At age 14, Tara Lipinski became the youngest skater to win the World title in ladies' singles.

Legendary coach, Carlo Fassi suffered a heart attack and passed away while at the event with his skater Nicole Bobek.

1994 Olympic champion Alexei Urmanov withdrew with a groin injury.

Stojko became the first skater to win a world title with a successful 4T-3T.