Clara Hughes

Clara won multiple medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games competing in cycling and speed skating. She is an Officer of the Order of Canada, is inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and was also honoured with a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame.

In honour of Clara Hughes joining the 2012 class of inductees this Saturday, November 3rd, we invite you to share your stories and memories with us.  Please contact the MCA office at cycling.ed@sportmanitoba.ca or call us at 204.925.5686.

Manitoba Memories :

  • “In a CBC  interview, Clara advised that she was inspired into the world of sport after seeing the 1988 Olympics on TV by chance while planning for a party.  She soon quit smoking, partying, and went back to school to focus on good marks so she could travel to Saskatchewan for a skating competition”
  • “In Clara’s early years as a speed skater, Winnipeg was hosting the National Roller Skating Championships – roller hockey, roller speed etc. Pete Williamson recruited his son Chris, Jim Fisher, Adam Parkinson, Clara, and a few others to compete in Roller Speed. The team did well, but still have the scars.  In those days they used 4 wheel roller skates, and speed skaters were used to leaning into the corners which doesnt work well on 4 wheels.”
  • “Clara was recruited into Cycling by coach Mirek Mazur in 1990.  There was a grant being offered in Manitoba to recruit females to the sport of cycling at that time in support of the Western Canada Games that were being held in Winnipeg that summer. 
  • “At the 1990 Western Canada Games in July, the MB women’s cycling team kicked off the cycling events by winning the team time trial (held on the Perimeter highway) defeating usual powerhouses BC and Alberta.  Clara went on to win 5 gold medals at those games (road and velodrome events). “
  • “Clara was invited to her first cycling camp in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  She was said to be the girl who could hang onto the pace of the guys the longest. On the drive back to Canada, her coach convinved her to hang up her blades for a few years and join cycling. ”
  • In 1990, Clara received the Manitoba Cycling Association Award for the most promising rider.
  • In 2000, Clara received the Manitoba Cycling Association Award for the top female road award.
  • Clara won 18 Canadian National Championships and participated in the 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2003 Pan Am Games

Career Highlights : (HERE)