November 10, 2010 (Ottawa, ON) – Canada’s athletes are an enormous source of pride for all Canadians, and there is no doubt that this past year, Canada has had much to celebrate. Our Government is proud to support and promote the dedication and commitment of our elite athletes. We are also very pleased to celebrate their many achievements, including the induction of this year’s honourees into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

This year, the Hall of Fame welcomes athletes Jacques Villeneuve, Kyle Shewfelt, Patrick Roy, Chantal Petitclerc, Clara Hughes, and Jean-Luc Brassard, as well as builders Roger Jackson and Bob Ackles, as its newest members.

As Minister of State (Sport), I would like to congratulate this year’s inductees into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. Your drive and commitment to excellence have taken you to the pinnacle of your sport, and from now on, generations of Canadians who visit the Hall of Fame will be reminded of you and inspired by your achievements. I would also like to commend everyone involved with Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame on the work they do to promote and pay tribute to our fantastic athletes.

Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport) on the Occasion of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame Induction

CCA Congratulates Clara Hughes on her Induction into the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
(November 10, 2010 – Ottawa, ON) The Canadian Cycling Association (CCA) wishes to congratulate Clara Hughes of Winnipeg, Manitoba on her induction into the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. Hughes will be formally inducted tonight during a ceremony in Calgary, Alberta.

Clara Hughes, who received the Order of Canada on April 7, 2010, was born in Winnipeg and is a graduate of Elmwood High School. She began her stellar cycling career in 1990, and competed in both road and track cycling sports at major international events such as Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Pan American Games.

“We would like to send our warmest congratulations to Clara. To this day, she continues to inspire kids across Canada to pursue an active lifestyle that includes competitive sports. Throughout her life, she has always been an ideal ambassador for cycling, embodying the noble values and the spirit of sport,” said Greg Mathieu, chief executive officer and secretary general of the CCA.

Clara Hughes is the sixth cyclist to be inducted in the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, joining Steve Bauer (2005), Curt Harnett (2005), Jocelyn Lovell (1985), Sylvia Burka (1977) and William ‘Torchy’ Peden (1955).

In 2002, Hughes became the first Canadian to win Olympic medals in both Summer and Winter Games with her performance in speed skating at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

She participated in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, winning two bronze medals at the 1996 Games in Atlanta in the road race and the individual time trial.

An 18-time Canadian national cycling champion, Hughes won the silver medal in Time Trial at the 1995 UCI World Road Championships, held in Duitama, Colombia.

She also participated in the 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2003 Pan American Games and won a total of eight Pan American Games medals. In Commonwealth Games competition, Hughes won the gold medal in the Time Trial and bronze medal in the Points race in 2002, as well as a silver medal in the Team Time Trial in 1994.

She served as a commentator for the cycling events for the CBC’s coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Hughes holds honorary doctorates from the University of Manitoba, the University of New Brunswick and the University of British Columbia.

The Canadian Cycling Association is the governing body for competitive cycling in Canada. Founded in 1882, the CCA aims to create and sustain an effective system that develops talented Canadian cyclists to achieve Olympic, Paralympic and World Championship medal performances.

With the vision to be a leading competitive cycling nation by 2020 celebrating enhanced international success, increased national participation and world class event hosting, the CCA manages the National teams, hosts national and international events, and administers community programs to promote Cycling in Canada. For more information, please visit www.canadian-cycling.com.