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Catriona Le May Doan

Canada Honours Fastest Woman on Ice

For Catriona Le May Doan, the kudos just keep coming. Although it’s been almost four years since the queen of speed skating won her second Olympic gold medal, she was recently awarded the Order of Canada and also inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

“I was so honoured when I found out I would be receiving the Order of Canada on November 18, 2005,” says the former world champion in the 500 metre skating event. “I am a huge fan of our new Governor General, Michaëlle Jean,” she enthuses.

Recalling the Hall of Fame induction dinner, Le May Doan reveals, “It was incredible to be in the same room with all of those sporting heroes who have made their mark in Canadian sport history. My husband, Bart Doan, was very proud; he was like a little kid reliving his childhood, meeting all of his hockey heroes from the 1972 team!” The famous Canadian hockey team was among the inductees, along with cyclists Steve Bauer and Curt Harnett.

Although Le May Doan, 35, is retired now, she can still claim to be the fastest woman on ice. Her 2002 time of 37.22 seconds in the 500 metre speed skating event has not been broken yet. She hasn’t slowed down much off the ice either.

“I am now involved in many areas: I do public speaking; work in sports broadcasting currently with the CBC; help part-time at the Olympic Oval in Calgary; and help with various charities, including Right to Play, Breast Cancer, and the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada,” says the mother of a young daughter. She is also on the board of Vancouver 2010, CODA, and the Canadian Sport Centre in Calgary. “I do still skate once in a while and try to stay active,” she adds.

The woman who broke the 500 metre world record eight times says modestly, “I believe I had a positive impact on Canadians. I still have people come up to me and thank me for what I did for our country. Athletes should always give back (to the community) – most often when they are done competing and have a little more time – but they should all take pride that they are role models for the upcoming generation.”

The four-time Olympian and the first Canadian individual to defend a gold medal at any Olympic Games feels it is important to set an example. “I believe I was an example that you can be muscular, athletic, but also feminine. I know how to combine work with being a mother. It is very important to show others that we can be mothers, be successful, and also be athletic. I believe men, women, boys, and girls should all be active. Sport is so powerful, and we as a country should support it 100 per cent on every level. It teaches us all great life lessons and also keeps us healthier,” she maintains.

Le May Doan’s accomplishments also have earned her the 2002 Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s Athlete of the Year and, in June 2002, she was presented with an Honorary Degree from the University of Calgary, where she gave the convocation speech to the graduating class. She is also a three-time recipient of the Canadian Female Athlete of the Year Award.

Interview conducted in November 2005

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