Commissioner Joseph Honors Renowned Figure Skaters at Commission Meeting

• 7 December 2023
• Category: SJC News District 4
• Tags: 2023

At the Board of County Commission regular meeting held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, during the Commissioner’s Reports segment. Commissioner Krista Joseph, District 4, took the opportunity to honor her husband, Dr. Ron Joseph, and his sister Vivian Joseph, for their exceptional achievements in figure skating. Both had been awarded the prestigious distinction of being elected to the US Hall of Fame for Figure Skating.

“It’s a remarkable feat. They stand as the first and only Jewish Olympic medalists in the Winter Games,” said Commissioner Joseph. “Their contributions were a tremendous honor for our country at that time.”

Renowned for their exceptional speed and athleticism on the ice, Vivian and Ronald Joseph swiftly ascended through the ranks of elite and international figure skating as a dynamic competitive duo. Their journey began with a silver medal win as juniors at the 1960 U.S. Championships when Vivian was just 12 years old and Ron was 16. This early success propelled them forward, leading to multiple appearances at the Olympic Winter Games and three World Championships, culminating in their impressive achievement of the 1965 World silver medal.

Their triumphs extended further, marking a significant moment in U.S. figure skating history when in 1965, after 14 years, they clinched victory as the first U.S. pairs team at the North American Championships, surpassing their 1963 bronze medal performance. The Josephs’ legacy is cemented as four-time U.S. medalists, securing their title at the 1965 U.S. Championships, as noted by the official source at www.usfigureskating.org.

The recognition can be viewed on GTV, the county’s broadcast channel. In addition, a glimpse into their journey is available on YouTube, showcasing their outstanding contributions to the sport.