Canada's Walk of Fame
Barbara Ann Scott was born in Ottawa in 1928. Her parents, Mary Purves and Colonel Clyde Rutherford Scott, helped instill the qualities that would see her become one of Canada's most dedicated and talented figure skater. Scott became the youngest Canadian to pass the gold figures test - the highest level - at just age ten when she was skating for Ottawa's Minto Club.
In her short career, Scott dazzled the world and won the Junior Women's National title (1940), the National Senior Women's title (from 1944-1948) and two European Championship titles. And let's not forget that these feats were achieved in unpredictable conditions Barbara Ann Scott was a champion of the outdoor rink!
The definitive moment in Barbara Ann Scott's life came in 1942, when the young figure skater became the first woman ever to land a double Lutz jump in competition. That unprecedented triumph propelled her to a gold-medal-winning performance at the 1948 Winter Olympics. With that victory, Scott put figure skating on the Canadian map and was dubbed "Canada's Sweetheart" in the process. Scott won two world championships and four North American titles all told before embarking on a successful five-year professional career.
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Scott has remained an influential figure in the skating world throughout the years; she has appeared in films and TV, published books, served as a skating judge, and was recognized for her charitable and educational causes. As a sports icon, and marking the fortieth anniversary of her Olympic win, she was asked to carry the Olympic torch in the lead-up to the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary. In 1991 Scott was made an Officer of the Order of Canada and in 2008, she was made a member of the Order of Ontario for her contributions to sports and charitable endeavours. In December 2009, she again carried the Olympic torch, this time to Parliament Hill and into the House of Commons, in anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Scott was also given the honour of being one of the Olympic flag bearers during the opening ceremonies in Vancouver on February 12, 2010.
Another accolade to add to Scott's resume, in 2012 the city of Ottawa announced the creation of "The Barbara Ann Scott Room", that will display photographs, her championship awards, and the Olympic gold medal that Scott formally donated to the city in 2011.
Interesting note
Barbara Ann was the first citizen of a nation outside Europe to win a world championship in skating (1947).Inductees
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Barbara Ann Scott
Year of Induction: 1998
Area of Recognition: Sport
Life: May 9, 1928 - September 30, 2012
Where: Ottawa, ON
Notable Achievements
- In 1948, Barbara won Gold at the Olympics.
- In 1991, Barbara was made an Officer of the Order of Canada.
- In 2008, Barbara was made a member of the Order of Ontario.
