Last month I saw the powerful documentary film Rise about the tragic plane crash that killed all the members of the 1961 World Figure Skating team on the way to the World Championships in Brussels, Belgium on February 17, 1961. After the crash, the World Championships were cancelled as the skating community mourned the loss. The movie ultimately had an inspirational message of hope because it showed how the next generation of American figure skaters like gold medalists Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill and Scott Hamilton carried on their legacy.
Fifty years later another tragedy has postponed Worlds. The competition was scheduled to take place this week in Tokyo, Japan, but the 9.0 earthquake, and tsunami on March 11, 2011 changed everything. The International Skating Union might be able to reschedule the event in another country next month, but the aftermath of the earthquake puts the competition in perspective. Prayers go out to the Japanese people as relief efforts continue and they begin to rebuild and rise above this natural disaster.
Here is a classic performance by Ekaterina Gordeeva. It’s a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and how fragile we are.
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