{"id":16180,"date":"2024-11-22T09:18:18","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T14:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/?p=16180"},"modified":"2024-11-22T09:18:20","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T14:18:20","slug":"lela-brooks-the-figure-skater-who-retired-at-the-peak-of-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/eternal-lela-brooks-the-figure-skater-who-retired-at-the-peak-of-success","title":{"rendered":"Lela Brooks \u2013 The Figure Skater Who Retired at the Peak of Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Figure skating is an exceptionally graceful and beautiful sport, writes <a href=\"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/uk\">itoronto.info<\/a>. However, behind its delicate appearance and effortless moves lies intense hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To achieve success in figure skating, athletes devote enormous effort, spending countless hours training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lela Brooks is remembered as a Canadian figure skater and multiple world record holder, specializing in short track speed skating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Success seemed to come naturally to Lela. Records were easily broken by the promising athlete, and competitions often ended with well-deserved victories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, despite the promising trajectory of her career and numerous accomplishments, Lela stunned the sporting world with unexpected news\u2014she decided to retire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this article, based on&nbsp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportshall.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sportshall.ca<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findagrave.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">findagrave.com<\/a>, we delve into the reasons behind this decision and Lela Brooks&#8217; remarkable athletic journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a6ffb6ad210b\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a6ffb6ad210b\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/eternal-lela-brooks-the-figure-skater-who-retired-at-the-peak-of-success\/#A_Passion_for_Sports\" >A Passion for Sports<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/eternal-lela-brooks-the-figure-skater-who-retired-at-the-peak-of-success\/#A_Young_Record-Breaker\" >A Young Record-Breaker<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/eternal-lela-brooks-the-figure-skater-who-retired-at-the-peak-of-success\/#Participation_in_the_Olympics\" >Participation in the Olympics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/eternal-lela-brooks-the-figure-skater-who-retired-at-the-peak-of-success\/#A_Top_Athlete_with_Limited_Sponsorship\" >A Top Athlete with Limited Sponsorship<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/eternal-lela-brooks-the-figure-skater-who-retired-at-the-peak-of-success\/#A_Sudden_Retirement\" >A Sudden Retirement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/eternal-lela-brooks-the-figure-skater-who-retired-at-the-peak-of-success\/#A_Possible_Reason\" >A Possible Reason<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Passion_for_Sports\"><\/span>A Passion for Sports<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The future athlete was born on February 7, 1908, in Toronto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Interestingly, Lela became the first woman to join the Old Orchard Skating Club. At the age of 12, she participated in her first full-fledged competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her father was a dental technician, and her mother had a deep love for skating. When their daughter showed interest in sports, her parents fully supported her passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lela had several siblings, including an elder brother who also took up figure skating and eventually became a Canadian champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Young_Record-Breaker\"><\/span>A Young Record-Breaker<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At just 15 years old, Lela began setting sports records. By 1925, at the age of 17, she had already set six world records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout her career, Brooks set 17 world records and won 65 championships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Participation_in_the_Olympics\"><\/span>Participation in the Olympics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the 1932 Winter Olympics, Lela competed in three demonstration events. She reached the finals but did not secure a spot among the top three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her race time exceeded the official world record by 15 seconds, which prevented her from claiming a podium finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Top_Athlete_with_Limited_Sponsorship\"><\/span>A Top Athlete with Limited Sponsorship<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>In 1933, the Toronto Star recognized Lela as one of Canada\u2019s best athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite her career achievements, Lela remained an amateur athlete and had no official coach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She did, however, receive modest sponsorship. The CCM company provided her with $10 weekly and two pairs of skates each season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earlier in her career, she was sponsored by millionaire Teddy Oke, who owned a famous hockey team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Sudden_Retirement\"><\/span>A Sudden Retirement<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Despite her successful career, Lela made the unexpected decision to retire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She had successfully qualified for the 1936 Winter Olympics, where she officially competed in women\u2019s speed skating for the first time. However, she abruptly decided to step away from the sport, shocking her fans and the broader sports community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Possible_Reason\"><\/span>A Possible Reason<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The likely reason for her decision was her choice to focus on her personal life. In 1936, the same year she retired, Lela married pharmacist Russ Campbell. The couple settled in Owen Sound, where Russ was opening a pharmacy. They went on to have four children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Russ and Lela shared 31 years of marriage before his death. Lela lived to the age of 82, and per her wishes, she was buried beside her husband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Photo: thestar.com, wikipedia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Figure skating is an exceptionally graceful and beautiful sport, writes itoronto.info. However, behind its delicate appearance and effortless moves lies intense hard work. To achieve success in figure skating, athletes devote enormous effort, spending countless hours training. Lela Brooks is remembered as a Canadian figure skater and multiple world record holder, specializing in short track [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":526,"featured_media":13001,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4820],"tags":[7785,7206,7791,7783,7787,7788,7793,7790,7792,7786,7782,7784,7780,7789,6003,7336],"moimportance":[32,35],"motype":[4825],"moformat":[88],"class_list":["post-16180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sporty","tag-athlete","tag-canada","tag-canadian-sports","tag-coach","tag-fame","tag-figure-skater","tag-figure-skating","tag-history-of-sports","tag-ice","tag-kovzani","tag-leader","tag-peremoga-2","tag-sports","tag-title","tag-toronto-3","tag-training","moimportance-golovna-novyna","moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory","motype-eternal","moformat-copywriting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/526"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16180"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16180\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16181,"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16180\/revisions\/16181"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16180"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=16180"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=16180"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/itoronto.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=16180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}