I may be in the best shape of my life50-plus days of cycling will do that! "Hughes battled deep depression, which threatened to derail her life, after winning two bronze medals in cycling at the 1996 Olympics. Next up are the Prairie provinces, and shell re-enter Ontario in mid-June. We are expecting really bad weather for much of it. Five, 10, 15 years from now I cant wait to hear about kids who were inspired by me. So many people have these medals, and all they do is show them off to people. [15] At the 2011 Pan American Championships, Hughes won the individual time trial and road race, both by a big margin. Another with depression says she was told by her physician to not talk about it because people would judge her. "When I see kids that are like that now, I think, `You don't know where this can lead you. I used to think, What am I doing training for the Olympics when theres so much that needs to be done in mental health? It will be a beautiful synchronicity of energies. We can show that we are more than just athletes. I want every person in the community or school to feel that their story is the most important one on this tour. I started kicking a ball with these little boys. Hes American and now also a proud Canadian. We are in a bad place as humanity, but theres always beautiful stories, inspiration, Hughes said. is her 'greatest honour', Olympic champions in women's 5000 m speed skating, World champions in women's 5000 m speed skating, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clara_Hughes&oldid=1134275090, Speed skaters at the 2002 Winter Olympics, Speed skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics, Speed skaters at the 2010 Winter Olympics, Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Canada, Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for Canada, Pan American Games gold medalists for Canada, Pan American Games silver medalists for Canada, Pan American Games bronze medalists for Canada, Pages using Template:Post-nominals with missing parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 21:31. , money, salary, income, and assets. In the 2000/2001 season, Hughes made a successful comeback to speed skating, participating in the World Single Distance Championships in Salt Lake City, where she finished 11th in the 3000m. The following season, she qualified for the 2002 Winter Olympics. I am still There would be an intervention, albeit not of the typical variety. For example, in my first biking race I won $850 for eighth place, and was top in Manitoba. It could have been all about cycling through hard crosswinds, driving snow and exhaustion from March 11 to July 1, 2014. Hughes would also have the good fortune of encountering coaches who would become her guides on an incredible journey that has seen her become the first Canadian to win medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympics. [9] After winning her gold medal in 2006, she donated $10,000 to Right to Play. "And so there I was, this undisciplined, pseudo-amoral girl, young adolescent, and this thing happened inside of me. I dont ride my bike daily, I wish I did, but when I do I absolutely love it. Sharing my success to help break the stigma is so important to me, and its working. And the greatest one has been the love of riding a bike and the adventures. He stopped hiding his stump, and after being a coach, today he has the ambition to be a lawyer. Thats what this Ride is. My struggles arent completely behind me; its still always there. We welcome your comments. Clara Hughes Height, Weight & Measurements At 49 years old, Clara Hughes height is 176 cm (5 ft 9 in) and Weight 69 kg (152 lb). Parents tell me all the time that Im inspiring their kids, and I think thats the coolest thing on earth. Throughout her career Hughes received a number of other awards, trophies, and accolades. When we witness the devastation from the extraction industry all over this country, I think its important that the more people can be outside, they can feel closer to the natural side. When Hughes rode through British Columbia, she was aghast at the level of destruction from deforestation and the forest fires. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 27 September. So after the London Olympics in 2012, I realized I finally had the time I wanted. "[26] Since 2013, Hughes has initiated annual bike rides across Canada in order to raise awareness about mental health. She would eventually return to the sport of speed skating at the age of 28, after achieving success in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. On September 23, 2010, she received an honorary degree from the University of New Brunswick in a special Toronto ceremony. [Now her eyes go very intense, and she leans in close, and speaks in a low, steady voice.] But my dad has always supported people around him, too. "What I'm seeing is we have a big problem in that the system is not there, and if it is there, it is not yet trusted for people to reach to," Hughes said. I just feel in my gut its the right thing to do. Yeah, were gonna be messed up! His no-nonsense methods, which included Hughes logging 23,000 kilometres per year, would give her discipline and a conditioning base that pays dividends to this day. The following season, she qualified for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The women on the MIW are influential women who contributed in a significant way to sport and physical activity in the year 2011. On Thursday night, I stood beside a six-time Olympic medalist powerhouse, tears streaming down my cheeks. My mom would be so worried about me. Photo by: We will not publish comments that are profane, libelous, racist, or engage in personal attacks. For a few Hughes was mostly walking, using her bike mostly for commuting or getting groceries. On April 27, 2013, the steep hill on Sydenham Road in Dundas, Ontario on which she trained for seven years was officially renamed 'Clara's Climb'. Listen and subscribe to get a weekly update with the newsmakers who matter. [33][34], On June 8, 2010, it was announced that she would receive a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. Hughes and Guzman hiked 850 kilometres of the Appalachian Trail from Dec. 3 to Jan. 12 and winter-camped along the way. Hes an adventurerlike Survivorman but without the TV show. Its a really beautiful team environment. Gold medal speed skater Clara Hughes is an inspired choice as the flag-bearer to lead the Canadian Olympic team after being able to transform her life with the help of sports. Clara Hughes was in charge of buying the beer. Skip to main content.us. [28] Her memoir, Open Heart, Open Mind, was published in 2015.[29]. I love my dad and he inspires me; he had really beautiful traits like his sense of benevolence and his support and passion for the arts, and they absolutely live through me. He taught her how to train herself, giving her the tools to understand how much she needed to push herself and when it was enough. When Im on the bike, Ill remind myself that if we quit, the kids will know, and everything Ive said will be negated. Her mother called the Winnipeg Speed Skating Club and found out there was a spring training camp. (Please note: For some informations, we She then returned to cycling, at the age of 38, to later successfully return for the 2012 London Olympics. A few months went by, wed decided this Ride would happen, I was busyand the moment I stopped, when I had a few weeks when I didnt have to travel or do anything, I started feeling that weight again. "Eric makes you believe," said Hughes. Hughes was also a world record holder on 10,000m track with 14:19.73 on March 13, 2007, on the Olympic Oval in Calgary, which was beaten by Martina Sblkov one year later. I got my ass kicked. The medal I wore around my neck was the This is Clara Hughes third time on the CAAWS Most Influential Women List. I said, Dad, its Clara, did you see I won the bronze medal? He didnt know who I was. Clara Hughes has not been divorced. Thru-Hiker Clara Redfeather Hughes In Canada, Clara Hughes is a household name. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get the digital edition of Canadian Cycling Magazine. Its a vicious cycle. WebShe is a member of famous Skaterwith the age 49 years oldgroup. We couldnt be more opposite. So, how much is Clara Hughes worth at the age of 50 years old? How is that mother doing whose kid has been on a waiting list for three years to see a mental health professional? Many people say, Just get over it, but its not that easy. After placing 10th in the 3000m, she won the bronze medal in the 5000m, just ahead of compatriot Cindy Klassen. I really got into hiking, Hughes said. But there will definitely be another one. Tom Ford December 14, 2016. She became the fourth person and second woman to win medals at the Summer and Winter Games. At press time, she and her team were about half-finished, having pedalled roads in Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, all three territoriesincluding the Arctic Circle and Dempster HighwayB.C. These were the second and the third ever medals in road cycling for Canada, after Steve Bauer's silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics, and the first medals in cycling for a Canadian woman. I was wasting my life. She is involved with Right To Play, which is an athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that uses sports to encourage the development of youth in disadvantaged areas. I really got into hiking, Hughes said. And Im not the only one thinking the situation has to be better; theres a slew of care workers, doctors, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nursesof mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends. During our interview later, I asked her about what its like in the heat of a skating or cycling race.How does she keep going when her brain is convinced she can win but her body is screaming and at its limit? [14], In November 2010, she announced a comeback, indicating her desire to race at the 2012 Summer Olympics. They intend to return to the trail in February and eventually complete the 3,746-kilometre trek that traverses 14 U.S. states. But, yeah, it is really hard. Hughes husband of 18 years, Peter Guzman, is doing the entire Ride with her, and Hughes has lined up three close cyclist friends who, one at a time, will join them along the way. Larry Weinstein says Clara Hughes, the subject of his latest film, keeps him on his toes. In the summer of the year 2010, it was announced that she would receive a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame and on November 15, 2010, she was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Shell have pedalled some 12,000 kilometres over 110 days, and have met thousands of Canadians at 200 community stops in each province and territory. One is her willingness to share her story of struggling with depression, to help get people talking about mental illness and therefore reduce the stigma. Clara Hughes wins another medal", "Canadian Olympian donates $10,000 to charity", "Hughes adds another bronze to incredible resume", "Clara Hughes talks about her battle with depression", "Clara Hughes to bike across Canada for mental health", "Join Clara Hughes on epic road trip for mental health in new documentary 'Clara's Big Ride,' airing on January 28", "Review of Open Heart, Open Mind by Clara Hughes", "Speed Skating Canada Clara Hughes profile", "Hughes named Canada's Olympic flag-bearer", "2010 Inductees for The Canada Honours Announced", "Hughes inducted into Canadian Sports Hall of Fame", "CAAWS Wall of Influence; Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity", "Governor General Presents the Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division) to Olympic Medallist and Mental Health Champion Clara Hughes", "Clara Hughes brought to tears at opening of namesake Oshawa school: Olympic medalist says Clara Hughes P.S. "I was just, `Omigod, I want to do that. She then returned to cycling, at the age of 38, to later successfully return for the 2012 London Olympics. Theres nothing better than stealth camping, Hughes explained. Im lucky. The celebrated Olympian, 41, started on March 14 in Toronto and will finish on July 1 on Parliament Hill. In the cold, eating while riding is a problem. Inspired by Joey Cheek, who donated his gold medal bonus to Right to Play, Hughes donated $10,000 of her own money to Right to Play after her 2006 gold medal win in the 5000m.[22] (Canada did not give out medal bonuses at the time). As Im exhausting myself on the bike, Ill be re-energizing myself and clearing my mind for what were stepping into next. In 2006, although she had not been asked, she announced she would not carry the Canadian flag during the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Ive walked through the Continental Divide on the Great Divide Trail and bike paths all through all of the mountain ranges from the Continental Divide all the way to the coastal spine., Hughes believes that humans need to look more to nature to help guide them in their journeys. Ive laughed, cried and listened. A four-time participant of the women's Tour de France, Hughes has won the 1994 Women's Challenge and the 1997 Liberty Classic. My brain makes unreasonable requests of my body, she admits. I want this to elevate the conversation so people can feel they are not alone. With the pandemic still looming, she plays things day by day in terms of her new adventures, as well as listening to nature as to how she will plan her next trip, given some of the unpredictable weather all over the world. I was like `I'm going to do that.' I even expect freezing rain in Quebec and Atlantic Canada. In 2014, Hughes received the Loyola Medal from Concordia University. Hughes and her husband Peter Guzman are celebrating their 25th year of being in each others lives, and they spend as much time outside as possible. We have huge mitts on, so we wont be able to go into our pockets. Seeing Gaetan Boucher win at speed skating in Calgary meant so much to me. At the 2011 Pan American Championships, Hughes won the individual time trial and road race, both by a big margin. Inspired by Joey Cheek, who donated his gold medal bonus to Right to Play, Hughes donated $10,000 of her own money to Right to Play after her 2006 gold medal win in the 5000m. (Canada did not give out medal bonuses at the time). There is a plaque there in her honour describing her training and accomplishments. But back to speedskating. My brains job is to try to overrule my body. and Alberta. Then I got into cycling. Use of this Website assumes acceptance of Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy | Accessibility. "To be in such a public position for 110 days was something that I didn't know and hadn't experienced before, so quite honestly it took an 850-kilometre very quiet hike with Peter to let it all settle in and connect back with myself," Hughes explained. They deserved to be having fun. It will be long, it will be hard. I just had a very strong sense of whatever I wanted to do at the time. Never say neverbut Im pretty darned sure! Although in this clip shes doing a hilarious demonstration about skating, the former multiple national champion is very much into cycling again. And they will be surprised by what I will do. [27] In 2015, a CTV-produced documentary Clara's Big Ride premiered on the fifth annual Bell Let's Talk Day (a national mental health awareness day in Canada). Canadian speed skater and cyclist (1972 - present) Who is Clara Hughes married to? I went through a lot and was just crying, crying, crying in his office and getting a lot of stuff out. I asked Trent Stellingwerff to plan the nutrition and vitamins. Share on Twitter. I feel we go against the flow of nature when we do things to nature in the name of capitalism, Hughes said. In 2006, she was awarded the Order of Manitoba, and in 2007, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada. What would I do with it? And water bottles would freeze. On June 14, 2016, Hughes was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Victoria. WebClara Hughes, (born September 27, 1972, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada), cyclist and speed skater who is the only Canadian athlete to have won medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympics, with two medals in cycling and four medals in speed skating. [39], On June 30, 2014, Hughes was honoured with the Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division). (Based in Toronto, RTP is an international humanitarian organization started by Norwegian speed-skating legend Johan Olaf Koss. 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