Clara Hughes named Canada's Olympic flag-bearer4-time Olympian won medals in speedskating, cyclingLast Updated: Saturday, January 30, 2010 | 3:10 AM ETBy Lindsey Craig, CBC Sports Clara Hughes, multiple Olympic medallist, champion cyclist and star speedskater, will lead Team Canada into BC Place Stadium carrying her country's flag at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Vancouver Games.The announcement was made Friday at city hall in Richmond, B.C."This is without a doubt the greatest honour of my sporting life," said an emotional Hughes."For 20 years I've had the privilege of representing Canada around the globe … first on the bike and then on my blades. The experiences have shaped me into who I am today."I want people to be inspired that I've always strived for excellence and I've always gone beyond what anybody ever thought I could do, what I thought I myself could do. And I've allowed myself to be inspired, kept my eyes open and my senses open to inspiration around me."~ * ~ * ~Seasoned athleteFor one, the Winnipeg native is one of only four athletes in the world who has won medals at both the Summer and Winter Games. She reached the podium five times in three Olympics — and that includes a speedskating gold at the 2006 Turin Games.She competed as a cyclist in Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000. Then, as a speedskater, she raced in Salt Lake 2002 and Turin 2006."I think she is the cream of the crop," said Beckie Scott, the former Olympic cross-country champion who shares many of the same qualities as Hughes."Not just when it comes to what she's accomplished as an athlete, but as a human being. She's a gem. She's someone who is truly remarkable in all arenas."
Honger! what tickets did you get??