Scott, Barbara Ann (1928-2012), a champion figure skater, became one of the most popular athletes in Canadian sports history. Scott won the gold medal in women’s figure skating at the 1948 Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland. She remains the only Canadian to win an individual figure skating gold medal in the Olympics. Scott’s victory made her a celebrity throughout Canada. Her charm and humility earned her the nickname “Canada’s Sweetheart.”
Barbara Scott
Scott was born on May 9, 1928, in Ottawa. She began figure skating at the age of seven. She won the Canadian senior women’s championship four times between 1944 and 1948. Scott was also the North American champion in 1945 and 1947 and the European and world champion in 1947 and 1948. Scott received the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canadian athlete of the year in 1945, 1947, and 1948.
Scott toured in an ice show from 1948 through 1955, when she retired from skating. After marrying in 1955, she moved to the United States and began training show horses. In her 40’s, Scott was ranked among the top U.S. equestrian riders. She remained involved in figure skating as a judge at competitions and often returned to Canada as an honored guest at sports and charity events. Scott died on Sept. 30, 2012.
