November 03, 2015 (Toronto, ON) – On October 21, the Class of 2015 was inducted in Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in Toronto to celebrate the organization’s 60th anniversary. Among the inductees was track cyclist Lori-Ann Muenzer, who powered to Olympic Gold in the 20014 Athens Games. Muenzer was honoured for her achievements and incredible perseverance that allowed her to earn them.

“On the occasion of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s 60th anniversary, we are proud to be able to share the stories of the achievements of the Class of 2015 so that we can inspire all Canadians to be the best they can be in all aspects of life,” said Mario Siciliano, President and CEO, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. “Thanks to the support of our partner, Canadian Tire, and Michael Medline as our Honourary Chair, we are able to recognize these outstanding athletes and host the biggest celebration of sport in Canadian history.”

For the second year in a row, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and Canadian Tire Corporation, a leading supporter of sport in Canada, have partnered on the annual event. Canadian Tire’s President and CEO, Michael Medline, helped induct this year’s distinguished athletes and sport “Builders” as a member of the Board of Governors of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and Honourary Chair of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame 2015 Induction Celebrations.

“At Canadian Tire, we believe in the power of sport to rally the nation and define us on a global stage,” said Michael Medline. “We are incredibly proud to help Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame recognize this year’s inductees – a group of real heroes who have provided us with countless remarkable moments. Their accomplishments are a testament to what Canadians can achieve, serving as international ambassadors and inspirations to us all.”

Each inductee was presented with an official Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame Honoured Member jacket at a morning news conference – the official symbol of the induction and Canada’s highest sporting honour. Honoured Members from across North America who attended the evening induction ceremony included Wayne Gretzky, Donovan Bailey, Catriona Le May Doan, Mark Tewksbury and Steve Bauer. The Class of 2015 will be featured in a new exhibit at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s international award-winning facility located at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta.

Lori-Ann Muenzer
Athlete, Cycling
Lori-Ann Muenzer started competitive bicycle road racing at the age of 21, and it wasn’t until she turned 28 that she found her true passion and began racing on the velodrome. Over the next 10 years she would experience and overcome many challenges, obstacles, and physical setbacks, most notably a mountain biking accident in 1999 where she plunged off a cliff that almost ended her career, and a ruptured appendix in 2002 while competing in South America. Instead of quitting, she raised the bar.

Lori-Ann’s journey of perseverance and drive, determination and commitment shone through, most notably at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur (Bronze in the Match Sprint event), 2000 World Track Cycling Championships in Manchester, England (Silver in the Match Sprint event), 2001 World Track Cycling Championships in Antwerp, Belgium (Silver in the 500m Time Trial & Bronze in the Match Sprint events), and 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England (Silver in the Match Sprint & Bronze in the 500m Time Trial events).

At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, Lori-Ann beat out competitors half her age to win Canada’s first Olympic cycling gold medal at the age of 38. She remains the only Canadian to have ever won an Olympic gold medal in cycling. In 2004, she received the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada’s Female Athlete of the Year. Even though Lori-Ann’s career began at an age later than most athletes she accumulated 13 National Championship Titles, four World Championship medals, 11 World Cup medals, three Commonwealth Games medals, and is a two-time Olympian (2000 & 2004) to become one of Canada’s most successful cyclists of all time. Lori-Ann gives back to her community by volunteering and also supports fund raising events for cancer research.