Photo by: And Im going to play my role to its maximum. They met through a mutual friend in 1996. Then I'd show up when I wanted to show up. well have a lot of rain. But Hughes instead provides the thread between stories told by Canadians affected by mental illness: a teacher who has depression, anxiety and panic attacks; a university student who attempted suicide; a community worker in northern Canada trying to prevent youth suicide; a soldier with post-traumatic stress disorder. This article was originally titled "You go, Clara!" [25] Hughes uses her past struggles with depression to relate to others and to help combat issues including the stigma involved with mental health issues. A participant at the 1990, 1994 and 2002 Commonwealth Games, Hughes won gold in the time trial (road, 2002), bronze in the points race on the velodrome (2002), and silver in the 50km team time trial (1994, with Alison Sydor, Anne Samplonius, and Lesley Tomlinson). Thats what this Ride is. She would eventually return to the sport of speed skating at the age of 28, after achieving success in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. We are expecting really bad weather for much of it. Her time of 6:55.73 became a new track record, though her time was soon beaten by Stephanie Beckert of Germany and gold medalist Martina Sblkov of the Czech Republic. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get the digital edition of Canadian Cycling Magazine. The hill, which leaves downtown Dundas and heads North for 1.5 km, was made famous in 2015 when it was officially named Claras climb by the city of Dundas, in honour of Hughes. This article was originally titled "Superhuman, yet so human" in the June 2014 issue of Best Health. On April 27, 2013, the steep hill on Sydenham Road in Dundas, Ontario on which she trained for seven years was officially renamed 'Clara's Climb'. A few months went by, wed decided this Ride would happen, I was busyand the moment I stopped, when I had a few weeks when I didnt have to travel or do anything, I started feeling that weight again. And they will be surprised by what I will do. Klassen set a new record in the same games, winning five medals in Turin, for a total of six. And the greatest one has been the love of riding a bike and the adventures. I love bike camping and touring and will do it until the day I die. There would be an intervention, albeit not of the typical variety. "He was just a drill sergeant and he was just, `Do it. [35], On September 23, 2010, she received an honorary degree from the University of New Brunswick in a special Toronto ceremony. WebPeter Guzman. Hughes became a spokesperson for the Bell Let's Talk campaign because of her own experience with depression. "When I see kids that are like that now, I think, `You don't know where this can lead you. In 2008, Hughes was named an in motion Champion by the Province of Manitoba. WebCommon Knowledge People/Characters Peter Guzman. I had really forgotten for those three years how fun a bike is., For Hughes, bike camping is about freedom, and connecting with nature. At the 2011 Pan American Championships, Hughes won the individual time trial and road race, both by a big margin. Her memoir, "Open Heart, Open Mind", was published in 2015. Tom Ford December 14, 2016. Hughes was born in Winnipeg, and is a graduate of Elmwood High School. Hughes and Guzman hiked 850 kilometres of the Appalachian Trail from Dec. 3 to Jan. 12 and winter-camped along the way. She was then named to the 2006 List of Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity by the Canadian Association for Advancement of Women and Sport (CAAWS). And hes an amazing writer; I have a shoebox of handwritten letters from his trips. Hughes was the first Canadian woman to win a medal in road cycling at the Olympics, winning two in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. After this Ride, I hope its continued in some way year after year, with people doing their big ride, or their big walk, or their big yoga day or their big whateverall for mental health. There was a short-track camp one weekend, and I did it in my hockey skates, since I already played ringette. "I've been really lucky to fall in the hands of these incredible teachers pretty much exactly at the time I needed their personality and what they had to offer in my life," she said. And I just didn't care. If you have trouble reading the characters in the picture, click it to see a new one. [laughs] As we go from point A to point B, Ill be thinking about everything that happened that morning and the night before at the events. In 2006, she was the only Olympian to have won multiple medals at the Summer Games as well as at the Winter Games.[21]. Now Im open about it because for most people, the support isnt there. in the May 2012 issue of Best Health. Clara Hughes was in charge of buying the beer. Share on LinkedIn. [9] After winning her gold medal in 2006, she donated $10,000 to Right to Play. And water bottles would freeze. And the greatest one has been the love of riding a bike and the adventures. Rare video captures birth of elephant seal in B.C. Her time of 6:55.73 became a new track record, though her time was soon beaten by Stephanie Beckert of Germany and gold medalist Martina Sblkov of the Czech Republic. In 2006, she received the International Olympic Committee's Sport and Community Trophy. "I always try to go back to something that allows me to struggle and allows me to endure and allows me to feel just a very silent satisfaction of having gotten through.". Bonnie: Did you ever consider suicide?Clara: I have friends who tried it and failed. I was wasting my life. She was then named to the 2006 List of Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity by the Canadian Association for Advancement of Women and Sport (CAAWS). "I was just, `Omigod, I want to do that. It did., Since Bell Lets Talk Day on Jan. 28, #ClarasBigRide and #Bell_LetsTalk have been used more than 100,000 times. Much of what drives me is living through that and seeing someone who wouldnt admit they had a problem. Since the Bell Lets Talk campaign started in 2011, people come up to me all the time to thank me for telling my story, and they hug me. I'm going to be that one day,'" recalled Hughes. On April 27, 2013, the steep hill on Sydenham Road in Dundas, Ontario on which she trained for seven years was officially renamed 'Clara's Climb'. She would eventually return to the sport of speed skating at the age of 28, after achieving success in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was undiagnosed, but Ive learned enough about mental illness to know that, without a doubt, he was bipolar. The following season, she qualified for the 2002 Winter Olympics. In 2014, Hughes received the Loyola Medal from Concordia University. This is the reality. [36], On November 15, 2010, Hughes was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.[37]. And my ultimate goal is for the right proportion of our healthcare dollars to be put toward mental health issues. You have to make sure kids have the seed of hope. Never say neverbut Im pretty darned sure! I cant thank his care workers enough. If you're using an alias, make sure it's unique. She has travelled with RTP to Ethiopia, and was in Mali last fall with Canadian kayaker Adam van Koeverden playing with kids and leading them into fun and games. At those Olympics, she won her first gold medal in the 5000m and a silver medal in the team pursuit as part of the Canadian team. Clara Hughes hardly needs an introduction, so maybe this will do: Shes awesome! But, yeah, it is really hard. The kids we help through RTP, they get a sparkle in their eyes, a light, and its what happened to me when I saw Boucher. I used to wonder at the time, Why me? Now I know why: because Im in a position to help others by talking about it. Share on Twitter. After winning her gold medal in 2006, she donated $10,000 to Right to Play. Since 2013, Hughes has initiated annual bike rides across Canada in order to raise awareness about mental health. We welcome your comments. In 2006, although she had not been asked, she announced she would not carry the Canadian flag during the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. [32], On April 7, 2010, she was made an officer of the Order of Canada. So after the London Olympics in 2012, I realized I finally had the time I wanted. Clara Hughes Height, Weight & Measurements At 49 years old, Clara Hughes height is 176 cm (5 ft 9 in) and Weight 69 kg (152 lb). Im 49 years old and Im still looking for trees for a place to hang my hammock and put my tent. Hughes and her husband Peter Guzman are celebrating their 25th year of being in each others lives, and they spend as much time outside as possible. The most inspiring person I know is my husband.". I try to share that story as much as possible, to show that people can change, and to get parents to get kids into anything the kids are interested init could change their lives, too. "To be in such a public position for 110 days was something that I didn't know and hadn't experienced before, so quite honestly it took an 850-kilometre very quiet hike with Peter to let it all settle in and connect back with myself," Hughes explained. On January 16, 2012, The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) announced Hughes as one of twenty women selected to the Most Influential Women in Sport and Physical Activity list (MIW) for 2011. Its a privilege, she says. On January 29, 2015, the official opening ceremony was held for a school named after Hughes. So one day I was at home watching TV, flipping channels, and I saw Gaetan Boucher skating. She was inspired to begin skating after witnessing Gatan Boucher at the 1988 Winter Olympics. He likes being out in the woods alone or with just one person; hes done things like walk the Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico solo. We sat down with Clara Hughes a few days before she began the epic 12,000 kilometre, 110-day ride known as Claras Big Ride, Source: Best Health magazine, Summer 2014, In case you hadnt heard, Clara Hughes is cycling the circumference of Canada. Comments are moderated and will not appear on site until they have been reviewed. In an interview on CBC Radio show Definitely Not the Opera,[10] Hughes reveals that as a youth, she smoked cigarettes, drank a lot at a young age and did a lot of drugs, admitting she did not envision herself as an athlete. So its not an option. For example, in my first biking race I won $850 for eighth place, and was top in Manitoba. So my grandma gave me a pair of speed skates but they were long-track; I sold them and bought a pair of short-track skates. Clara Hughes - The Only Canadian Athlete Who Won Medals at Two Olympic Games - Canadian History for Kids - True Canadian Heroes. We will not publish comments that link to outside websites. She is from . "He's helped me develop and grow as a human being and just been there as my support and the love of my life and just my best friend. But for Clara, its not enough just to give money. Communities and companies can raise money, if they wish, to give directly to mental health initiatives of their choice. "[26] Since 2013, Hughes has initiated annual bike rides across Canada in order to raise awareness about mental health. One is her willingness to share her story of struggling with depression, to help get people talking about mental illness and therefore reduce the stigma. She is entered in the time trial and road race disciplines. My legs feel strong and my mind is focused on making it to the finish line and helping end the stigma around mental illness. In the summer of the year 2010, it was announced that she would receive a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame and on November 15, 2010, she was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. This is Clara Hughes third time on the CAAWS Most Influential Women List. ", "Olympic heroes: Double doses of Eddie Eagan", "Cyclists Ryder Hesjedal, Clara Hughes join Olympic team", "Congratulations to Right To Play Athlete Ambassador Clara Hughes Canada's flag bearer for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games", "Medal winner Clara Hughes makes $10,000 donation to Vancouver charity", "Clara Hughes talks about moving on after the Olympics", "Olympian Clara Hughes making a comeback for 2012 Games", "Clara Hughes beats Stevens and Neben to win Pan Am games time trial", "Hughes solos to victory, earns second Panamerican gold", "Incredible!

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