Yesterday, in Richmond, B.C., the Canadian Olympic Committee announced the name of the official flagbearer for Team Canada at the opening ceremony for the Vancouver Olympics: it's Clara Hughes who will take on this honourable responsibility.
A little bit more background on Clara:
The five-time Olympic medalist will compete in the women's 3,000 and 5,000 metres speed skating events during the 2010 Winter Games. Clara is the first Canadian and only the fourth athlete in the world to have won Olympic medals at both Winter and Summer Games, including speed skating gold in the 5,000 metres at the 2006 Winter Games in Torino and bronze in cycling at the 1996 Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta. Vancouver 2010 will be her fifth Olympic Games.
Off the ice, Clara has been awarded the International Olympic Committee's Sport and Community award and the Spirit of Sport award from the Canadian Sports Awards. She is also an Officer of the Order of Canada, a member of the Order of Manitoba, and an athlete representative for Right To Play, a non-profit, international Canadian organization that works in developing countries helping children, their families and communities through sport.
Go, Clara! Go, Team Canada!
