Viewpoint

Clara Hughes

Sport is an Artistic Form of Self-expression

“When the Olympics roll around, sport becomes synonymous with culture,” says Clara Hughes, the first Canadian to medal in both the summer and winter Olympics, and only one of four in the world ever to do so.

“I do think sport is an important part of culture. I feel, with the Olympics coming up in 2010 in Vancouver, we will be able to, if done properly, inspire an entire generation. For me, skating has always been a sort of ‘poetry in motion’ and I have always seen sport as my form of self-expression. It is a fantastic outlet and one that allows for growth in a very raw way, which is how I would describe art,” she explains.

The fine arts student, cyclist, and speed skater is now aiming for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. “My goal is simple: to have the race of my life in Torino, specifically in the 5,000 metres. I dream of that race, it is what gets me up every morning, makes me train beyond conceivable pain thresholds each day,” she reveals.

Hughes won two bronze medals in cycling at the 1996 Olympics, and a bronze in speed skating at the 2002 Olympics. Speed Skating Canada named her 2004 Female Skater of the Year in Long Track after she won the gold medal at the 2004 World Single Distances Championships.

“After my last cycling race at the Pan American Games in 2003 [where she won three medals], I decided to turn my focus completely on skating. I was very tired after doing two sports for three years at that point, and cycling had provided me with such intense life experience already that I felt it was time to really become committed to being the speed skater I had dreamed of being since seeing Gaétan Boucher skate in the 1988 Calgary Olympics.”

Besides training for speed skating and cycling, travelling, and being married, Hughes enjoys writing and painting. She currently writes a column for the Sport For Life Web site. Leading up to the 2002 Winter Olympics, she made a video diary for the CBC’s Sports Journal and wrote a column for The Globe and Mail.

“I feel it is important to have a balance in life. Because I am constantly challenged in the physical sense (training and racing), I need to use my brain. I like to learn new things. I have been learning French since moving to Quebec in 2000, and I always manage to have a creative outlet handy for my artistic side,” she says.

At 33 years of age, she also tries to give back to her community. Despite a busy schedule, she serves as an on-line cycling coach for the Canadian Cross Country Fitness Challenge.

She avows, “I want to share with people the feeling, the strength, and the joy of being healthy and active! One does not have to be an Olympic athlete to feel on top of the world – some of my greatest moments are when I am out riding my bike in the mountains, or hiking a beautiful trail, when it has nothing to do with competition, and I feel so free, like I can achieve anything I wish for. I want to encourage people to get out of their homes and discover nature, and to feel the satisfaction of exercise. It is empowering, it can be life changing.”

Hughes tries to be a role model for girls and women. “I hope that I can inspire females of all ages to pursue whatever interests them – to have no fears and to seek excellence in life. I try to lead by example, more than anything. My mother always says ‘actions speak louder than words’ and this is how I have always gone about things,” she affirms.

Interview conducted in July 2005