Olympian’s legendary career began in Saskatoon
Catriona Le May Doan accomplished what no other Canadian athlete had ever done in the Olympic Games.
Le May Doan successfully defended her Olympic gold-medal reign in women’s 500-metre speedskating, capturing gold medals at both Nagano in 1998 and Salt Lake City in 2002.
She also won a bronze medal in the 1,000 metres at Nagano. The four-time Olympian — one of Canada’s most successful and highly decorated athletes before retiring in 2003 — was also a five-time world champion.
Le May Doan took up speedskating, by chance, at age 9. She had first tried her hand at ringette but she and her sister came across a poster advertising speedskating.
Le May Doan joined the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club, quickly rising atop the ranks among her peers by winning the Canadian bantam championship. In 1988, she joined Canada’s national team and began training in Calgary.
By age 20, she was competing internationally and, within five years, she was dominating the world scene and finally finding success at her third of four Olympic Games.
Along the way, she captured 25 gold medals, seven silver and one bronze in World Cup races.
Le May Doan was selected as Canada’s outstanding female athlete in 1998, 2001 and 2002. She was also named the 2002 Lou Marsh Award winner as Canada’s outstanding athlete.
In 2005, Le May Doan was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
She’s also a member of the Order of Canada.
Married with two children, Le May Doan, 46, continues to work as a broadcaster and public speaker.
She has served as a liaison for the 2010 Whistler Olympic Games and board member for the Canadian Sport Centre in Calgary and Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA).
As we celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, the StarPhoenix and Leader-Post are telling the stories of 150 Saskatchewan people who helped shape the nation. Send your suggestions or feedback to sask150@postmedia.com.