She has also given About.com permission to post the full transcript of her speech. Janet appreciates that people have been asking to read her complete speech. It was given in good will. She'd love to hear any feedback.
Subject: RE: USFS Governing Council Skater's Alumni Dinner Speech 2008
This letter is in response to specific inquiries and is intended for interested parties:
Thank you for your kind comments regarding what you have heard about the speech that I gave at the USFS Governing Council Skater's Alumni Dinner. I am honored that people are interested in knowing the complete contents about which I spoke.
The name of the speech was From Whence Comes the Joy of Figure Skating? The two main subjects that I spoke about were:
1) the graceful culture of figure skating, and 2) the graceful language of figure skating.
These are the two main sources for my joy of figure skating. I spoke about the graceful culture and language of figure skating as an inheritance that has been entrusted to us, and I asked that we all work together to preserve this beautiful inheritance so it is not lost.
I suggested that USFS sponsor a commission led by gold medal champions to evaluate the health of our sport and to make concrete suggestions to USFS that will help move figure skating forward in a healthy way.
I also discussed my concern for the physical safety of young skaters. Indications are that generally, young bodies are not being properly prepared for the impact, flexibility, and elements that are being required of them. This troubles me. I believe this issue, and other issues, are problems that need to be wisely solved.
The intended purpose of my speech was to respectfully and honestly inspire those currently involved in the skating community toward a good and healthy path for the future of figure skating. I hope to make the speech available in some professional and appropriate format so that interested persons can have access to it.
I invite anyone who may be interested in a deeper discussion about figure skating to consider the availability of two self-published books. They are:
"The Language of Figure Skating: A Resolution" (this Resolution has been endorsed by many legends and others who love skating and are a part of its wonderful history)
"Echoing Whispers on Ice: Edges" (a 54 page commentary that I recently wrote and published about the many facets of edges)
Both are available by writing to: Language of Figure Skating/Echoing Whispers on Ice, P.O. Box 700084, Tulsa, OK 74170. Each book is $25 plus $3 shipping and handling. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.
I thank everyone who is interested in learning about and/or preserving the beautiful language of figure skating. It is a language that has given me and so many others great joy as both skaters and observers.
Very Sincerely,
Janet Lynn
Further Reading:
- U.S. legend Janet Lynn hosts seminar - By Jo Ann Schneider Farris on IceNetwork.com
