LIKE DAUGHTER, LIKE MOTHER
Awards see tribute from one winner, Erica Wiebe, to another — her mom
It was a sweet moment, a highlight of Wednesday night’s Ottawa Sports Awards ceremony at Algonquin College, with daughter Erica Wiebe, an Olympic gold medallist in wrestling, making a super-secret visit to present her mom Paula Preston with the Spirit of Sport Award.
On a night where many of Ottawa’s most amazing athletes, coaches and volunteers were honoured, Wiebe — later presented with the Female Athlete of the Year — snuck in a back door and waited in a tiny room upstairs before being called out as a surprise presenter.
“I was on the fence about coming, I wasn’t sure I had the time to take off from training, but I made the decision and I wanted it to be a big surprise,” Wiebe said.
“I know she’s full of surprises,” Preston said. “When she came out, I was blown away, it was amazing.”
It was not so long ago when a teary-eyed Wiebe singing O Canada atop the podium was the final image in CBC’s closing video montage of the Rio Olympic Games. The 27-year-old Stittsville wrestler won gold after dominating her 75-kg division.
Said Wiebe: “I’m a huge sports fan and have so many memories, iconic moments, of my sports heroes standing on the podium — to see the other side of that picture and to stand and see the flag being raised and to sing O Canada, it really never sets in.”
The former National Capital Wrestling Club athlete and Ottawa Fury soccer goalkeeper had the gym at the Goulbourn Recreation Complex named after her in a ceremony shortly after her return from Rio. From her start as a high school wrestler with the Sacred Heart Huskies, Wiebe was Ottawa’s first Summer Olympic champion since Glenroy Gilbert won gold at the 1996 Games.
“Certainly, the Olympic gold medal is pretty special, but I’m as much proud of the way she’s grown up into a wonderful human being,” Preston said. “Olympics is one day, with a lot of preparation going into it, but I’m more impressed afterwards with all the public speaking and encouraging young women to get involved in sport, to be active. These are strong legacy things I see from her success in sport. I hope to see her continue in another four years in Tokyo, then continue doing more.”
Preston followed her daughters into sports, as a volunteer, then stayed involved. From gymnastics to soccer to wrestling, she, like so many other unsung heroes in our community, selflessly gave up hours and hours of time to help others. There were the bake sales, fundraising and the “simple things like wiping the mats clean at the end of practice.”
“My mom is very good at finding what needs to be done and doing it,” Wiebe said. “Her selflessness is truly one in a million.” Other award winners: Cyclery-Opus women’s cycling team which was the dominant force at the 2016 Canadian road cycling championships in Ottawa/Gatineau (female team of the year)
Carleton Ravens men’s basketball team which won its 12th national title in the past 14 years (male team of the year)
Jen Boyd who led her University of Ottawa Gee-Gees women’s rugby team to a new all-time program best finish, a national silver medal (female coach of the year)
Glenroy Gilbert who coached the Canadian men’s relay team to a bronze medal in the 4X100metre run at the Olympics (male coach of the year)
Sue Holloway formerly an outstanding athlete who has since held about every volunteer role under the sun with local crosscountry ski and canoe-kayak clubs (Mayor’s Cup, outstanding contribution to sport in Ottawa)
Don Moxley who has been coaching Ottawa cyclists and nordic skiers for more than 30 years (Brian Kilrea lifetime achievement coaching award)
Lois LaQuerre who has been a longtime high-level gymnastics judge (lifetime achievement award, technical official)
Cathy O’Doherty who has been successfully coaching volleyball teams for more than 30 years and has also been a successful educator (lifetime achievement award, sports volunteer).