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 speed skating.
Success seemed to come naturally to Lela. Records were easily broken by the promising athlete, and competitions often ended with well-deserved victories.
However, despite the promising trajectory of her career and numerous accomplishments, Lela stunned the sporting world with unexpected news—she decided to retire.
In this article, based on sportshall.ca and findagrave.com, we delve into the reasons behind this decision and Lela Brooks’ remarkable athletic journey.
A Passion for Sports
The future athlete was born on February 7, 1908, in Toronto.
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.
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.
Lela had several siblings, including an elder brother who also took up figure skating and eventually became a Canadian champion.
A Young Record-Breaker
At just 15 years old, Lela began setting sports records. By 1925, at the age of 17, she had already set six world records.
Throughout her career, Brooks set 17 world records and won 65 championships.
Participation in the Olympics
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.
Her race time exceeded the official world record by 15 seconds, which prevented her from claiming a podium finish.
A Top Athlete with Limited Sponsorship
In 1933, the Toronto Star recognized Lela as one of Canada’s best athletes.
Despite her career achievements, Lela remained an amateur athlete and had no official coach.
She did, however, receive modest sponsorship. The CCM company provided her with $10 weekly and two pairs of skates each season.
Earlier in her career, she was sponsored by millionaire Teddy Oke, who owned a famous hockey team.
A Sudden Retirement
Despite her successful career, Lela made the unexpected decision to retire.
She had successfully qualified for the 1936 Winter Olympics, where she officially competed in women’s speed skating for the first time. However, she abruptly decided to step away from the sport, shocking her fans and the broader sports community.
A Possible Reason
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.
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.
Photo: thestar.com, wikipedia