Olympic Kick-off

Heading off to London in less than two weeks, and think it is about time to kick-off the blog for this year...

I've always been a big sports fan, and especially an Olympics fan because I admire the commitment and dedication of these (mostly) amateur athletes; doing something because of their love for what they do, and wanting to be the best in the world.

The best parts of the Olympics are the stories behind some of these athletes, and what they've had to do, or overcome, to get to where they are.

One of my favourites, is the story of Clara Hughes. Now 39, Clara is tied with Cindy Klassen for Canada's most decorated Olympian (each with 6 medals).

However, Clara's medals have come from both cycling (2 medals in Atlanta 1996) and from speed skating (the latest in Vancouver 2010). She is the only athlete in the world to have won multiple medals in both the Summer and Winter games.

She's also a big supporter of Right To Play, an international organization whose mission is to "To improve the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world by using the power of sport and play for development, health and peace".

Clara's story is all the more amazing given her history as a "troubled youth"; how she was inspired by watching Gaetan Boucher (Canadian speed skating legend) on TV, and how her inolvement in sports helped to turn her life around (as detailed in this terrific article in the Toronto Star).

For London (her 6th Olypmic Games), Clara has qualified for both the road race and time trial events. I can't wait to watch and cheer her on!