Barbara Ann Scott – A True Patriot

I still remember the first time I learned about Barbara Ann Scott. Leading up to the 1988 Winter Olympics, I was soaking in all I could about the sports and athletes. In addition to its spread previewing the figure skating competition to be held in Calgary’s Saddledome, Sports Illustrated also featured an article on Canada’s last women’s figure skater to win Olympic gold: Barbara Ann Scott. Back in 1988, it was remarkable to note that no Canadian woman had won a figure skating gold medal in 40 years. Move forward to 2012, and Canada still continues to wait for another to replicate Scott’s accomplishment. The friendly nation is in its 64th year without an Olympic gold medal in women’s figure skating.

Earlier this week, Barbara Ann Scott passed away. She was 84. Remembering that Sports Illustrated article, I had my parents look for it in my stash of Olympic memorabilia. Yet again, they came through for me. I guess I need to think about moving these items to my home.

Before there was Dorothy Hammill, Michelle Kwan, or even Yu-Na Kim, there was Barbara Ann Scott. The Ontario-born skater had a tremendous impact on not just the skating world, but all of Canada. Take these notables, which The New York Times mentioned in its tribute to her:

• How many figure skaters can say they had a doll created in their likeness in the pre-Barbie era? In 1948, the Reliable Toy Company began manufacturing the Barbara Ann Scott Doll.
• How many female athletes can say they inspired male athletes? It was a direct result of Scott’s heroic win at the 1948 Winter Olympics. Her skating aesthetic was so perfect that Donald Jackson said of Scott, “Even though I was a male skater, she was the one person I looked up to.” Dick Button said of Scott, “She was delicate, precise, exact, meticulous — simply perfect.”
• How many can be credited by a Prime Minister? Former Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King said that Scott “gave Canadians courage to get through the darkness of the postwar gloom.”

The Sports Illustrated article which inspired me. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!)

Back in 1988, this thirteen year-old girl was immediately attracted to Scott and her story. Aside from Scott’s historical impact as a skater, I was drawn to her beauty and poise – both in her younger and later years. Even at 60, Barbara Ann Scott exuded an elegance and sophistication that few athletes possess. I remember thinking to myself, “Here’s someone worthy of looking up to!”

Such grace was not only exhibited in her skating and style, but in her words and actions. Like the majority of Canadians, Scott had much love for her country and was unabashedly patriotic; not as Americans think of patriotism with our obnoxious chanting of “USA! USA.” No, Scott was like most Canadians, equally proud and humble to be Canadian. It’s the same modest and dignified satisfaction that Canadians possess, and which we’ve seen in other Canadian athletes like Wayne Gretzky and Sydney Crosby. In its tribute to Scott, the Chicago Sun-Times quoted her as having said, “My father always taught me that anything you can do for Canada, do, it comes first….And so, I tried in my little way.”

Scott at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics. (Photo: Ashley Fraser, Postmedia News)

So proud of her were Canadians that they didn’t forget her when the 2010 Vancouver Olympics were held. Scott was selected as one of several to help carry the Olympic Flag during the opening ceremony (I had hoped that she’d be selected to light the torch). While I was saddened by how much she’d aged, I smiled when I saw how elegant she still was, and how happy and proud she was to be representing Canada at another Olympics.

Perhaps Scott didn’t have any triple or quadruple jumps in her resume. Yet, whether on or off the ice, she carried herself with the poise, grace, and humility that is seldom seen anymore. Barbara Ann Scott isn’t just a role model for figure skaters. Or Canadians. Exemplifying modesty and patriotism, her “true patriot love” touched many “far and wide.” I can only hope that her legacy will not be forgotten and remembered by future generations.

Swifter, Higher, Stronger.