Paul Wylie addresses the delegation at Governing Council

1992 Olympic silver medalist Paul Wylie was introduced at the beginning of Governing Council as a surprise guest speaker. As part of his presentation, he offered this list, which he calls, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Pre-Juvenile Boys," based on a popular book with a similar title.

Don't talk on patch. (If you don't know what "patch" is, I'm not going to tell you.)
Don't look down. Look up.
Indicate your long axis. (Know where you are.)
Don't spend time watching the other kids. Work! (There is no substitute for hard work.)
Don't worry about or compare yourself to others -- be your best.
Don't talk back to your coach.
Say "thank you" at the end of your lesson.
Don't forget to give your coach his lesson ticket.
Only once you've mastered the Axel can your work on the double Axel.
Take your blade guards off before you skate.
Wipe off your blades and make sure your skates are laced up tight and sharpened.
Look out for the big kids.
Be on time for patch.
Watch out for the person skating their program.
Don't layout all over another skater's patch in the first 15 minutes.
No cuts in line for music.
Don't throw your record or tape, kick the ice, the boards, etc.
Attempt to live as "normal" a life as possible while being a competitive skater.
Go on school field trips, long trips and career days.
Take breaks.
After the competition is over, play pinball with your competitors and go out for ice cream.
Make friends.
The best thing I ever won never equalled my dad telling me, "You're number one in my book, son."
The best medal I ever won ended up in my sock drawer, but my skating friendships have lasted a lifetime.
No matter what, don't give up!

*Concept borrowed from the book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, by Robert Fulghum.