CLARA HUGHES

Summer & Winter Olympic Medallist

Clara Hughes is one of the biggest stories to ever emerge in Canadian sports. A double Olympic bronze medallist in cycling at the 1996 Olympic Summer Games, and a bronze medallist in speed skating at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, made Clara the first Canadian athlete ever to medal in both Summer and Winter Olympics Games.

Add to that her double Olympic medals in speed skating at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, and Hughes is the only athlete in history to have multiple medals in both Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

One of Canada’s best-ever cyclists, Hughes wore the coveted yellow jersey for four days of the 1994 Tour de France and enjoyed a successful career as a pro rider with Team Saturn. She completed her cycling career by winning a Gold and a Bronze medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.

In 2000, Hughes made the decision to return to her first sporting love, speed skating. Just seven weeks into her training, she made the national team and went on to win a Bronze medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. In 2003 Hughes won her first World Cup Gold Medal in the 3000m event and a Gold Medal in the 5000m at the World Championships. It was the first time Canada ever won gold in the 5000m at the World’s. Hughes won Gold again in 2004 at the World Single Distance Championships.

Hughes made her debut as a CBC Sports analyst for the track, road, and mountain bike events at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She is the Canadian flagbearer for the 2010 Vancouver Games Opening Ceremony and will also be competing as a member of the speed skating team.

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