Seven new members to be entered into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame were announced today.
They include six athletes and one “builder”.
“This year marks our 61st induction ceremony. We are proud to be able to share the stories of the achievements of the Class of 2016 so that we can inspire all Canadians to be the best they can be in all aspects of life,” said Mario Siciliano, President and CEO, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. “Thanks to the support of our partner, Canadian Tire Corporation, and Michael Medline as our Honourary Chair, we are able to recognize these outstanding individuals and host the biggest annual celebration of sport in Canada.”
The distinguished Class of 2016 inductees includes:
-Michael “Pinball” Clemons, four-time Grey Cup Champion with the Toronto Argonauts, Canadian Football League. He was a star with the team, helping them to three Grey Cup championships from 1989-2000, and was a fan favourite. The Florida-born player, then became coach and took the team to another Grey Cup in 2004. He was inducted in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2008, and became a Canadian citizen in 2015
-Stephanie Dixon,19-time Paralympic medallist and world record holder, Para-swimming. She won five gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics, and another gold in 2004 and in 2005
-Dr. Frank Hayden, former University of Toronto professor, played a key role in creating the worldwide Special Olympics Movement and will be inducted in the Builder category. In the 1960’s he found that children with intellectual difficulties were not nearly as physically fit as their peers. This was generally believed to be because of their disabilities. Hayden disagreed and his research showed that given opportunity, they could acquire physical skills to take part in sports and become fit. That led to a connection with the Kennedy Foundation in Washington DC and eventually led to the first Special Olympics in Chicago in 1968. That led to the creation of the Special Olympics movement being created in Canada the following year.
-Sue Holloway, four-time Olympian, and the first woman to represent Canada at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in the same year, Kayaking and Cross Country Skiing
-Colleen Jones, two-time women’s Curling World Champion (2001, 2004) and youngest skip to ever win a Canadian Women’s Championship (1982). She also won five Tournament of Hearts championship, including four in a row also from 2001 to 2004.
-Annie Perreault, of Sherbrooke Quebec, is a three-time Olympian and double Olympic Gold medallist, Speed Skating, winning gold in short-track in 1992 in Albertville and another in the 500m in 1998 in Nagano, along with bronze in relay. She also has four relay world titles.
-Bryan Trottier, originally from Saskatchewan, is a seven-time Stanley Cup winner, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997
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