Six-time Olympic medallist Cindy Klassen helped open the inaugural Olympic exhibit at the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame |
On the eve of the
2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, the display will celebrate the success
of Manitobans in Winter Olympics, such as Klassen, Susan Auch, and Clara Hughes
in speed skating, hockey gold medalist Jonathan Toews, and the Winnipeg Falcons,
who won the 1920 Olympic hockey gold medal.
"I'm
honoured to be a small part of this tremendous salute to Manitoba's
Olympians," Klassen said. "It's so important to celebrate our success
and I hope that this exhibit inspires athletes to believe in themselves. I want
to give them the courage to dream and hope, and to strive for excellence in
their lives."
The Olympic
exhibit will be on display at the Sport for Life Centre from now until June 8,
and features both loaned and donated items from Manitoba's Olympians, including
Klassen's 2006 bronze medal and her 2010 skin suit.
"It's so
beautiful, it's bringing back a lot of memories," said Klassen, who
pointed out a picture of her hugging Hughes at the 2006 Olympics. "When I
shared that moment with Clara, it was unreal and just very special to me ...
standing on the podium with her and singing the national anthem. That was the
end of the Olympics in 2006, the last race, and it was just a huge highlight
for me."
Klassen overcame
a significant injury to become Manitoba's most decorated Winter Olympian -- a
picture of inspiration for young hopefuls.
"You can't
mention the word inspiration without talking about all of the great athletes
we've had here in Manitoba, and the most inspirational -- not only to
Manitobans but to Canadians -- is Cindy Klassen," said Jeff Hnatiuk, Sport
Manitoba's president and CEO. "Our Hall of Fame is the perfect place to
celebrate our Winter Olympic triumphs and encourage future champions."
Klassen,
meanwhile, failed to make it to this year's Olympics.
"It was very
disappointing not being able to make it to these Game," said Klassen, 34.
"I will be watching in front of the TV ... There will be moments where it
will be hard, for sure, just wishing that I was out there. But that's the way it
goes sometimes and now, I'm looking to the future, whatever that may be."
Jim Bender | WinnipegSun
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