- Louis Rubenstein
Louis Rubenstein (born September 23, 1861, in
Montreal, Canada ; died January 3,1931) was a Canadianfigure skater . Rubenstein is considered the "Father of Canadian Figure Skating." [ [http://www.skatecanada.ca/en/news_views/news/2005_2006/06_apr5.cfm Skate Canada: News & Views: News ] ] [ [http://www.skatecanada.ca/en/about_skate_canada/hall_of_fame/honoured_members/1990.cfm Skate Canada: About Skate Canada: Hall of Fame: Honoured Members ] ]Biography
In 1890, Rubenstein won the
gold medal in an unofficial international championships that were one of the precursors of theWorld Figure Skating Championships .Fact|date=August 2007 He became the first Canadian to win international honours in the sport.Fact|date=August 2007Rubenstein was the force behind the establishment and organization of the
Amateur Skating Association of Canada , now known as Skate Canada. [ [http://www.skatecanada.ca/en/about_skate_canada/history/ Skate Canada: About Skate Canada: History ] ] He was the first president of the organization [ [http://www.skatecanada.ca/en/about_skate_canada/history/ Skate Canada: About Skate Canada: History ] ] and served until his death [ [http://www.skatecanada.ca/en/about_skate_canada/hall_of_fame/honoured_members/1990.cfm Skate Canada: About Skate Canada: Hall of Fame: Honoured Members ] ] .He was President of the International Skating Union of America 1907-09, President of the Canadian Wheelmen's Association] for 18 years, and President of the Montréal Amateur Athletic Association 1913-15.Fact|date=August 2007 Rubenstein also had a hand in the organization of the National Amateur Skating Association of the United States; a forerunner to the
United States Figure Skating Association .Fact|date=August 2007The Montreal Star wrote in 1895 of his presidency of the Canadian Bowling Association, and called him the "Father of Bowling in Canada."Fact|date=August 2007 A tremendous bowler, he averaged 173.4 in 129 games between 1892-1900. Fact|date=August 2007
After retiring from active skating, Rubenstein also held the presidency of various Canadian organizations representing
curling , bicycling,tobogganing , and lifesaving.Rubenstein was inducted into the
International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 [ [http://www.jewishsports.net/biopages/LouisRubenstein.htm Louis Rubenstein ] ] and theWorld Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1984 [ [http://www.worldskatingmuseum.org/Museum_HOF_Inductees.htm Official Site World Figure Skating Museum and Hall of Fame ] ] .There is a permanent memorial to Rubenstein in
Montreal at Fletcher's Field at the corner of Parc and Mount Royal Avenues.Fact|date=August 2007He was also politically active; he was an
alderman for 17 years. Fact|date=August 2007He was coached by
Jackson Haines . [ [http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-759910/Louis-Rubenstein Louis Rubenstein (Canadian athletic director) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia ] ]References
External links
* [http://www.jewishsports.net/BioPages/LouisRubenstein.htm Jewish Sports bio]
* [http://thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006997 Canadian Encyclopedia bio]
* [http://www.jewsinsports.org/Olympics.asp?sport=olympics&ID=570 Jews in Sports bio]
* [http://www.memoirs.ca/images/testimonials/louis_rubenstein_cjn.pdf "Louis Rubenstein's story recounted on film," The Canadian Jewish News, 6/3/04]
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