While scrolling through the news this morning, I saw an article about the release of a new book by Katarina Witt called "So viel Leben" (So Much Life). The article is from a German news source, and upon further research, I found the book on Germany's Amazon, but I have not yet found out if the book will be published in English. The book is formatted like a scrapbook and highlights Witt's career and life for the last 50 years. Yes, 50. Katarina turns 50 in less than a month, on December 3. Keeping my fingers crossed that the book will be released in the U.S.!
While searching for information about Katarina's book, I found this lovely letter from a skating fan about Katarina that was printed in the New York Times nearly 22 years ago.
I loved this letter, especially the end. I will always remember Katarina's 1994 Olympic experience. She competed knowing that she wasn't in contention for a medal, but she wanted to compete to celebrate the Olympic experience and honor her Olympic experiences of the past. She dedicated her freeskate "Where Have all the Flowers Gone" to the people of war-torn Sarajevo, the country that hosted the 1984 Games, when Katarina won the first of her two Olympic titles. The feeling of of passion and hope that she created in Lillehamer was larger than the competition. I agree that Katarina is an example of what a true Olympian should be: an athlete of power and talent, humility and charm, someone with the inner strength and graceful panache..."
Katarina's 1994 Short Program to "Robin Hood":
Katarina's 1994 Freeskate to "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?":
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