Is the Figure Skating World a Bit Like the World of Harry Potter?

Sometimes I feel that the figure skating world is something like Harry Potter's parallel universe. Harry spends his summers with his relatives who don't understand or like the world of wizards. Harry learns that the ways of the wizards and, for that reason, his world and life is very exciting. The same is true for figure skaters; their lives are never boring! Harry's world also has its heroes and villians. The drama of "Tonya-Nancy" gave "ordinary people" a glimpse into the behind the scenes of figure skating. Then, came the 2002 Olympic figure skating judging scandal.

Figure skating families look just like ordinary people and live in the "normal" places, but their lives can be very different. The school year may be extra busy with practices before and after school, Saturdays devoted to skating, and travel to competitions. Figure skaters may not have the time to do after school or church related activities; they may not be able to take ordinary vacations or visit relatives. Summers may be filled with hours at an ice rink instead of at the pool. Family and friends may ask, "Why are you doing so much skating?"

Although the world of figure skating can be an unusual one, most people involved with the sport love it. Is your life different because of figure skating? The answer has to be "Yes."

Further Reading:

• Figure Skating Scandals
• Sleep, Eat, and Skate Every Day!
• Ideal Practice Schedule for a Figure Skater
• Review of "Training Figure Skaters" - A Book by Jack Curtis
• The Sociology of Ice Dancers
• Is Figure Skating a Soap Opera?
• AMATEUR FIGURE SKATING - A Non-Geographic Community by Edith K. Schneider

_{Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - PRNewsFoto/SCHOLASTIC}