April 1, 2006 – Despite a spectacular speed skating season and winning gold and bronze at the Torino Winter Olympic Games Clara Hughes has decided to hang up her skates and return to cycling.

“I love speed skating and it’s close to my heart but cycling is what I really love and I can’t wait to get back on my bike,” she said recently in a phone interview. “I’m really looking forward to competing at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and may even try some BMX events – something I’ve always been interested in. I think I can be ready for the BMX start line as well by 2008,” she added.

Hughes admitted to loving Chinese food as another reason for focusing on the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. It’s also rumoured that Cindy Klassen who recently won the 33rd Annual Canadian Sport Awards Athlete of the Year is considering to join Hughes as she’s apparently tired of speed skating and looking for new challenges.

April Fools…