Blue Swords (German: Pokal der Blauen Schwerter) is an international figure skating competition organized by the Deutsche Eislauf-Union. It is usually held in Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany. Medals are awarded in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. Champions of the event win the "Blue Swords Trophy".
Blue Swords began as a senior international competition in East Germany, and was held annually between 1961 and 1998. In 1985, it became a junior-level event. Since 1997, it is chosen in some years by the International Skating Union to be part of the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit. These are the only years when the event is still held.
The German name for the event is "Pokal der Blauen Schwerter", and is named after the blue swords trademark of the famous porcelain manufacturer Meißen. The Blue Sword Trophy is made of that porcelain.
Blue Swords (born 1940) was an American Thoroughbred race horse who debuted as a two-year-old in 1942. Bred in Kentucky by Samuel D. Riddle, he was owned by Allen T. Simmons of Akron, Ohio, a rubber mogul and radio station operator. He was rated a close rival of Occupation, owned by Chicago, Illinois contractor John Marsch, in horse racing competition in the Western United States.
Blue Swords was a son of Blue Larkspur and Flaming Swords, whose father was Man o' War. In 22 starts, he earned 5 wins, 5 places, and 2 shows. His career earnings totaled $58,065.
Blue Swords finished third in the Washington Park Race Track Futurity event on August 15, 1942. A 20 to 1 shot, he was bested by the winner, Occupation, and Count Fleet, who placed second. On September 3, 1942, he came within 1/5 of a second of the Aqueduct Racetrack track record established by the sprinter Doulrab. Blue Swords bested Col. Teddy by three lengths, finishing with a time of 1:10 3/5.
Blue Swords secured a purse of $10,800 by winning the Eastern Shore Handicap at Havre de Grace, Maryland, on September 12, 1942. He won by a length after taking the lead down the stretch and pulling away comfortably. He ran the six furlongs in 1:12.