Are Ice Skaters the Stars You Thought They Were?

By popular stars, as I understand it, you're referring to individuals who capture public attention and excitement. Yes, ice skaters can certainly fit this description. But let's peel back the layers of fame and explore the reality behind the scenes.

A Messy Reality: Are Ice Skaters Really D-List?

Ice skaters, much like athletes in any other sport, can sometimes live a life that might seem glamorous from afar but is messy and demanding behind the scenes. One of my skating buddies from the U.S. even spent a time having a hotel room in a Hollywood motel, which became a local talk. Athletes can indeed become messy, and a cluttered hotel room after a competition is not unheard of. While we train hard, perform hard, and know how to party hard, we often struggle to see beyond the limelight.

In truth, the glory we bring to our nations and our sports is more of a fleeting fame. How often can you ask the general public who the current skating champions are and find them unable to name a single one? Even with former world champions like Canada’s, if they don't capitalize on their fame, their accomplishments can quickly fade into obscurity, except among the devoted fans of the sport.

Niche Notoriety: Where Do Skaters Go After the Spotlight?

Skaters like Lloyd Eisler have successfully transitioned to other ventures post-skating. Eisler went on to appear on 'Dancing with the Stars,' and many others found their way into media roles or broadcasting for national and international competitions. However, if you're not involved with the sport, their accomplishments might be considered niche notoriety—a kind of fame that exists in a specific circle but is not widely known.

Opinionated Ignorance: The Monopoly of Skating Enthusiasts

Engaging deeply with the world of skating can be all-consuming. It can render you opinion-less about other aspects of life due to sheer ignorance. How many players from the 1985 Chicago Bears do you know? Who won the javelin throw at the last year's Canadian Track and Field Championships? Chances are, you might know Refrigerator Perry, but that's about it.

Skaters are intense, shining lights in the world of entertainment. However, they often find themselves unprepared for life after the spotlight. Many of us refer to our years in skating as 'My Life When the World Revolved Around Me.' Even with this awareness, we struggle to see beyond the TV lights. We are flamboyant individuals, and this is what makes skating fascinating. However, there's more to life than the glamour, and public figures must remember that fame is fleeting.

The True Star

Actors don't act for award season; they act because it's what they love. Similarly, skaters should skate because they love the sport. Skating is more than a path to fame; it's the closest we have to flying. It's about your energy hurled forward, fueled by your passion and dedication.

So, if you're a skating enthusiast reading this right now, please don't let your exploits in the sport tie you to a better sense of self. Fame opens doors but also closes others. Skate because you love it, because it is the closest we have to flying, because your energy propels you forward. Follow this truth, and you will always be a star in your own heart.

Keywords: ice skaters, skating stars, public perception