Growing up in the tall forests and lush valleys of British Columbia’s lower mainland, Debbie Brill was always challenging herself to run faster and jump higher as a young athlete. Born in 1953 in Mission, Debbie was dominating the high jump in local sporting events by the time she was nine. Encouraged by her parents,… Continue reading Debbie Brill
Angela Chalmers was born with the talent to run and drive to succeed, drawing on remarkable reserves of strength and resilience to become one of the best middle-distance runners in the world. A member of the Birdtail Sioux First Nation, Angela was born in Brandon, Manitoba in 1963. Raised in a military family, she moved… Continue reading Angela Chalmers
Through his personal resilience and compassionate leadership as a coach, mentor, and administrator, Alex Nelson has helped transform access to sport and recreation for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. A member of the Musgamaqw-Dzawada’enuxw First Nation, Alex was born in 1946 in Kingcome Inlet, British Columbia. Playing soccer helped him live through seven years in the… Continue reading Alex Nelson
Dr. Guylaine Demers has empowered generations of students, coaches, athletes and administrators to make sports a more safe, equitable and welcoming place. Formerly a high-performance basketball player and coach, Guylaine has become a driving force for gender equity in sport across Canada and around the world. Often working on a volunteer basis, she has served… Continue reading Dr. Guylaine Demers
A multisport phenomenon who refused to let prejudice define his potential, Fred Thomas broke barriers to help end the era of racial segregation for professional athletes in North America. Born in Windsor, Ontario in 1923, Fred’s talent and athletic versatility were already evident in high school. Excelling in track and field and football, Fred also… Continue reading Fred Thomas
Changing the game for women and visible minorities in ice hockey, Vicky Sunohara embodies the values of teamwork, integrity, and leadership, on and off the ice. Born in Scarborough, Ontario in 1970, Vicky grew up sharing a passion for ice hockey with her father, learning to skate on a backyard rink when she was two.… Continue reading Vicky Sunohara
Over his outstanding 27-year career, Daniel Nestor made an unprecedented smash as the most decorated tennis player in Canadian history. Born in the former Yugoslavia in 1972, Daniel moved to Toronto at the age of four. When he was seven years old, Daniel’s father gave him a two-dollar tennis racket and taught him to play… Continue reading Daniel Nestor
One of Canada’s most decorated Paralympic swimmers, Kirby Cote’s impact on Canadian disability sports continues to be profound. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1984, Kirby comes from an active family. Her parents wanted her to be involved in sports, and upon a recommendation made by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), she tried… Continue reading Kirby Cote
Captivating audiences around the world with his technical precision and refined artistry, Patrick Chan reshaped the potential of men’s figure skating as a competitive sport. Born in Ottawa in 1990, Patrick discovered a natural talent for skating when he began taking lessons at the age of five. Encouraged by his parents, who had immigrated to… Continue reading Patrick Chan
