Posts Categorized: Athlete

Shirley (Gordon) Olafsson

Shirley (Gordon) Olafsson was one of the world’s top high jumpers. In the 1948 London Olympics she placing 10th out of 62 countries. In the 1950s, she coached and managed basketball teams and officiated at the 1954 British Empire Games in Vancouver.

Diane Clement

Diane Clement became the first New Brunswick male or female athlete to compete in the Summer or Winter Olympics, running in the 100 and 220 yard dash, and 440 yard relay. Diane is the first woman to coach the University of British Columbia’s women’s track team and is the co-founder of the Vancouver Sun Run,… Read more »

Gail Wilson

Gail Wilson had a remarkable career at the University of Toronto as a star on the ice hockey, swim and field hockey teams. She coached one of the best UBC Women’s Field Hockey Teams and used statistical analysis to enhance her role as Assistant Coach, National Women’s Field Hockey Team. In 1995 was the first… Read more »

Misty Thomas

Misty Thomas had an outstanding career in stand up and Wheelchair Basketball and was the first Canadian to be a member of both an Olympic and Paralympic Team. Misty coached UBC Women’s Basketball and Team Canada. She is a founder for Night Hoops and the Athlete in Residence Program.

Vale Savege

Vale Savege competed on both the National Volleyball and Basketball Teams. Vale co-founded the SFU Women’s Volleyball program and was the first female to officiate an international match in Japan. Vale is the first female to be recognized as a Volleyball Canada Lifetime Member.

Kristine Chambers

Kristine Chambers, a successful triathlete, coach and teacher on the world stage, also founded Exceleration: Triathlon and Multi-sport Club with the goal of creating a positive sporting environment for lower-income children and youth.

Sarah Blyth

Sarah Blyth is a well-respected woman in the male dominated sport of skateboarding. As founder and head of Vancouver Skateboard Coalition she spurred the creation of six new skateparks and helped make Vancouver a world-leader in this sport.

Jo Mathieson

Jo Mathieson has contributed to the growth of women’s Softball as a coach, athlete, and builder of women-only leagues. As part of the 50 year club, she was inducted into the Softball BC Hall of Fame.

Joy Fera

JOY FERA has performed as an athlete, official and builder in rowing and alpine skiing. She was a member of Canada’s rowing team at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and won bronze medals in Eights at the 1977 and 1978 World Championships. She is a co-founder of the Delta Deas Rowing Club and has been a… Read more »

Sarah Burke

Sarah Burke (d.2012) single-handedly changed the face of Freestyle Skiing. This multi-award winning woman is the reason females can now compete in Slopestyle Skiing and her hard fought campaign resulted in Ski Pipe becoming a 2014 Winter Olympics event. She was a 2012 Inductee to the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame.