Canada’s Sweetheart Barbara Ann Scott Returns Home for Visit

Please select the service you want to use:

• Newsvine
• Digg
• Delicious
• StumbleUpon
• Technorati
• Buzz
• Favorites
• Google Reader

Barbara Ann Scott has been visiting Ottawa this week, during which her presence has rightfully been honored at various locations.

Scott, the 1948 World and Winter Olympic champion, was in attendance Wednesday morning at The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre. There, she was introduced as one of three Honorary Co-Chairs for their Capital Campaign.  Joining her in this role will be Grete Hale and General (Ret.) Rick Hillier. The campaign, entitled "Building Choices, Enriching Lives" is an initiative to raise funds to help meet the need for more housing for seniors, including veterans.

Scott followed her visit to The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre by returning to her former club, The Minto Skating Club. This is where Scott learned how to skate, and perfected the skills that would lead her to many gold medals throughout her career. She represented The Minto Skating Club for many years, culminating in 1948 when she became the only person to hold the North American, European, World and Olympic figure skating titles at the same time. Scott's support of her former club continues to this day.

Thursday, Scott was on hand for the unveiling of her new exhibit, located at Ottawa City Hall. The Barbara Ann Scott Gallery displays the collection of skating memorabilia she has donated to the city over the past year. The exhibit includes priceless items, such as her 1948 Olympic gold medal, the key to the city of Ottawa, and the Barbara Ann Scott doll, produced in the late 1940's and early 1950's. The exhibit contains over one hundred articles, which will be on display at City Hall for an indefinite amount of time.

At the conclusion of this busy week, Scott will be returning to her current residence in Florida.