Squaw Valley 1960 OWG pairs - Barbara WAGNER and Robert PAUL ©IOC

It is with regret and sorrow that the International Skating Union learned of the passing of Olympic Pair Skating Champion Mr. Robert (Bob) Paul of Canada, who passed away at age 87 on December 19, 2024.

Robert Paul was born on June 2, 1937, in Toronto, ON. His love for skating began as a child, first outdoors and later at a local club where his cousin skated. Reflecting in a 2010 interview, he shared, “I really liked that because of the entertainment end of the skating, not the competitive end. We skated for fun and we did exhibitions. And that’s what got me into it,” he said. 

Paul went on to train in the famous Toronto Skating Club under Mr. Sheldon Galbraith. In 1952, he partnered with another young Toronto skater, Barbara Wagner, to compete in Pair Skating. While he continued to compete in Single Skating until 1956, he made impressive progress with his new partner Wagner. 

By 1955, Wagner/Paul claimed the silver medal at the Canadian Championships and placed fifth at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships. From 1956 to 1960, they dominated the national scene, winning five consecutive Canadian titles.

At their Olympic debut in 1956, Wagner/Paul placed sixth and went on to achieve a fifth-place finish at that year’s ISU World Figure Skating Championships. However, the next Olympic cycle from 1957 to 1960 saw them rise to the top of their sport. The duo claimed four consecutive ISU World titles, cementing their dominance in pair skating.

Their crowning achievement came at the 1960 Olympic Winter Games in Squaw Valley, USA, where Wagner/Paul struck gold, becoming the first North American pair skaters to win Olympic gold.

The Montreal Gazette wrote about Wagner/Paul’s Olympic triumph: “The seven judges voted unanimously in favor of the Toronto stars who turned in a flawless performance featuring terrific changes of pace. … The gold medal winners skated to a pot-pourri of tango, ballad and waltz music. Their precision was described by one expert as ‘absolute’.” 

“Our best element was our unison. That was something that we had, and our stature together absolutely matched all the way through,” Paul commented in the 2010 interview. 

Squaw Valley 1960 OWG pairs - Barbara WAGNER and Robert PAUL ©IOC

Following the 1959/60 season, Wagner/Paul retired from competitive skating and performed in an ice revue for four years.

Paul initially dreamed of becoming an actor, but when he was invited to coach a rising U.S. skating sensation, Peggy Fleming, he stepped in—and that moment marked the beginning of his career as a coach and choreographer.

What started as a single season of coaching Peggy blossomed into years of collaboration as her choreographer, shaping her artistry on the ice. Inspired by his success, other skaters sought him out, including Olympic champion Dorothy Hamill.

Paul’s creative talents weren’t limited to competitive skating. He spent 16 extraordinary years as a choreographer for Disney on Ice, bringing magic to audiences worldwide. Later, he returned to competitive skating to coach rising stars like Mirai Nagasu, leaving an indelible mark on yet another generation of skaters.

Robert Paul passed away peacefully in Minneapolis, MI (USA). His remarkable achievements and profound impact on Figure Skating were celebrated with inductions into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (1957), the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame (1958), the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame (1980), and the Skate Canada Hall of Fame (1993).

The ISU pays tribute to Robert Paul’s incredible legacy and will remember him with affection.