Six-time Olympic medalist in cycling and speed-skating, Clara Hughes is the only athlete to win multiple medals in both Winter and Summer Olympics. This Canadian athlete has done her country very proud, and continues to lead as a role model for athletes all over the world.
Clara's success story is inspiring to those around her. She became interested in speed skating after watching the 1988 Winter Olympics held in Calgary, and decided to take up the sport. It did not take long before the naturally talented athlete won her first junior championship and moved on to bigger and better competitions. Hughes figured she would start cycling to stay fit in the off season and was recognized for her outstanding cycling talent, which urged her to begin that sport as well. Since then she has competed in the Olympics, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games and Championships, and a World Cup, and has set a Canadian record in the 1000m for speed skating.
In the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games, she took home bronze in both the road race and time trial, and sat in sixth place at the 2000 Games in Sydney for cycling. She then returned to cycling at the London 2012 Games and came fifth in the time trials event and competed in the road race. As for speed skating, Hughes has earned four Olympic medals. At the 2002 Salt Lake City Games she won bronze in the 5000m race, then four years later in Turin, she took the Gold for the same event plus a silver in the team pursuit. Then in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Hughes won another bronze in the 5000m. Her hard work and dedication paid off bringing home four Olympic medals, and the honour of being the flag bearer in the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Games. Hughes has pushed herself to her maximum potential, and has never once given up. Clara is the true meaning of dedication. She has brought a new face to speed skating for Canada and has inspired our youth to take interest in the sport.
In the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games, she took home bronze in both the road race and time trial, and sat in sixth place at the 2000 Games in Sydney for cycling. She then returned to cycling at the London 2012 Games and came fifth in the time trials event and competed in the road race. As for speed skating, Hughes has earned four Olympic medals. At the 2002 Salt Lake City Games she won bronze in the 5000m race, then four years later in Turin, she took the Gold for the same event plus a silver in the team pursuit. Then in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Hughes won another bronze in the 5000m. Her hard work and dedication paid off bringing home four Olympic medals, and the honour of being the flag bearer in the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Games. Hughes has pushed herself to her maximum potential, and has never once given up. Clara is the true meaning of dedication. She has brought a new face to speed skating for Canada and has inspired our youth to take interest in the sport.
Hughes not only excelled at sport, but her main goal has always been to motivate youth and inspire hope in others through her own actions. After winning Gold in 2006, Clara donated $10,000 of her personal savings to the Right to Play programs. This opened the eyes of Canadians to support the cause, and raised over half a million dollars for the international humanitarian organization that uses sport for development. Later in 2010, she donated $10,000 of her medal bonus to the Vancouver school program; "Take a Hike". Clara is also the national spokesperson for Bell Canada's mental health initiative and the "Let's Talk" campaign. Mental health has become a major issue across the globe, and is difficult for people to face alone. In order for athletes to become the best of the best, they have to be mentally structured and mentally prepared for the obstacles that they must face. It is important that role models such as Clara Hughes raise awareness for mental health issues to provide support for those who are affected.
Clara Hughes is extremely involved within her home country, being apart of the Order of Canada and the Order of Manitoba, she has been rewarded the "Sport and the Community" award for her commitment to promoting sport and play around the
world. Clara Hughes is one of Canada's favoured athletes for her dedication to her athletics and to her country. She has raised money for different charities around the world, starting from her own home. She inspired millions of people around the world to take part in sports, proving what true work ethic is all about, and she continues to inspire millions of people with her campaigning outside of sport. She brought the two worlds of sports and mental health awareness together, becoming one of the biggest role models our youth has ever seen.
world. Clara Hughes is one of Canada's favoured athletes for her dedication to her athletics and to her country. She has raised money for different charities around the world, starting from her own home. She inspired millions of people around the world to take part in sports, proving what true work ethic is all about, and she continues to inspire millions of people with her campaigning outside of sport. She brought the two worlds of sports and mental health awareness together, becoming one of the biggest role models our youth has ever seen.