Search for ""

She won Canada's only 1976 Olympic gold medal - in the giant slalom on 4 Feb - for which she was considered a long shot against gold-medal winning German skier Rosi Mittermaier. In so doing she became the youngest-ever gold medalist in skiing to that date.

Kenneth John Read, alpine skier (b at Ann Arbor, Mich 6 Nov 1955). He was raised in Calgary and began skiing at 3 and competing at 8.

After these setbacks, Lori-Ann Muenzer's career began to flourish. She won several medals in international competition, including two silver and two bronze medals at the World Track Cycling Championships, and one silver and two bronze at the 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games.

John Stanton, entrepreneur, runner (b 29 Dec 1948, Tofield, Alta). John Stanton is Canada's best-known expert on recreational running, and through his business, Running Room Ltd, he has advocated for improved health and fitness through simple changes in lifestyle that include increased activity.

Robert Bédard, TENNIS player (b at Saint-Hyacinthe, Que 13 Sep 1931). When he was about fifteen, Robert Bédard ventured onto a tennis court for the first time, without having any idea that he would become one of the best tennis players in Canada.

Alexandre Despatie, diver (born at Montréal 8 Jun 1985). Alexandre Despatie is one of Canada's most-accomplished athletes in diving, and is a three-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist.

Hall began his career in junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey Association's Windsor Spitfires. He turned pro with Indianapolis of the AHL and played for the Edmonton Flyers of the WHL before joining the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL in 1951.

Jonathan (Jon) Montgomery, skeleton racer (b at Russell, Man 6 May 1979). Jon Montgomery is an Olympic gold medal winning skeleton racer.

Sylvie Bernier, diver (b at Québec C 31 Jan 1964). Bernier was introduced to diving at age 9 by her older brother, who brought her along to his lessons for company. She took to diving immediately and within 2 years had won

Leonard Patrick “Red” Kelly, CM, hockey player, coach, Member of Parliament (born 9 July 1927 in Simcoe, ON; died 2 May 2019 in Toronto, ON). Red Kelly played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 20 seasons, winning eight Stanley Cups. He was a star with the Memorial Cup-winning junior team at St. Michael’s College before becoming one of the best defencemen in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings, with whom he won the inaugural Norris Trophy and four Stanley Cups. In 1960, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played there as a centre and was a key figure in another four Stanley Cup victories. A smooth skater and effective playmaker, Kelly scored 281 goals and 542 assists in regular season play, as well as 33 goals and 59 assists in the playoffs. He won the Lady Byng Trophy four times, had a successful career as a coach and served two terms as a Liberal Member of Parliament while still a player. He is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame and the Order of Canada.

Ethel Catherwood, track and field athlete (b in Hannah, North Dakota 28 Apr 1908; d Grass Valley, California 26 Sept 1987). Ethel Catherwood was the only Canadian woman ever to win an individual gold medal in Olympic track and

Dave Castilloux, boxer (b at Paspébiac, Qué 4 Jun 1916; d at Montréal 8 Mar 1994). When Dave Castilloux was only three years old, his parents moved to the United States, and in 1936, when the young fighter settled permanently in Montréal, he was already a seasoned BOXER.

Apps entered politics in 1940, pursuing it with the same skill and determination that he brought to hockey. He ran as a federal CONSERVATIVE PARTY candidate in the 1940 election but lost to the Liberal incumbent.

Bill Barilko, hockey player (born at Timmins, Ont, 25 May 1927; died in northern Ontario, 26 Aug 1951). Bill Barilko was a hard-hitting defenceman for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Gérald Gratton, weightlifter, bricklayer. (born at Montréal, 29 Aug 1927; died there 27 July 1963). During the 1950s, Gérald Gratton was recognized as a very great Canadian athlete.

Petra Burka, figure skater (b at Amsterdam, Netherlands 17 Nov 1946).

On 15 April 1947, Jackie Robinson played in his debut game with the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African American to play in the major leagues in the modern era. Prior to that point, professional baseball in the United States was segregated, with African Americans playing in the Negro leagues. When Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s colour barrier in 1947, he entered American history books. What many baseball fans may not realize, however, is that Robinson was embraced by Canadian fans one year earlier as a member of the Montreal Royals, a farm team for the Brooklyn Dodgers.