Clara Hughes is retiring from the Olympics, the popular Canadian athlete announced Wednesday. Society doesnt support mental illness. 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. It's not about me. Hes a beautiful man. But there will definitely be another one. Clara shared the record for over a decade with Cindy Klassen as Canadas most decorated sisters who say they were wrongfully convicted are victims of systemic racism: lawyers, WATCH: Waves crash against seawall amid Spanish wintry storm, Celebrities announce contracting COVID after Golden Globes. As of 2011, these were the only three cycling medals for Canada. On November 15, 2010, Hughes was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Shell have pedalled some 12,000 kilometres over 110 days, and have met thousands of Canadians at 200 community stops in each province and territory. The downward spiral began after her parents split when she was 9. She's pleased the documentary "Clara's Big Ride" isn't just about her. So with this, he was like, But so many people know about it. I told him, I honestly dont think I can do it without you. And so many times, Ive given him a big hug and said, Im so grateful youre here., Maybe a kid will go home and say, We had this thing at school and they talked about depression. Maybe it opens up a conversation, and opens minds. Clara Hughes @claraaanehughes, Heres Clara Hughes giving some tips on how not to speed skate. Hes my rock; he brings me back to the light. Photo by: Much of what drives me is living through that and seeing someone who wouldnt admit they had a problem. I am still learning new things about him every day. Hughes was born in Winnipeg, and is a graduate of Elmwood High School. Type in the characters you see in the picture below. Next up are the Prairie provinces, and shell re-enter Ontario in mid-June. There was this kid in Ethiopia whod had his hand blown off by a land mine. Share on LinkedIn. She was there with her road team, sponsored by Specialized bikes and Lululemon. [40], On January 29, 2015, the official opening ceremony was held for a school named after Hughes. 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. Rain will be the worst; cold is more manageable. I really got into hiking, Hughes said. As a 16-year-old, Hughes was sitting in her mother's living room doing some channel surfing and came across the broadcast of the 1988 Calgary Olympics. I have to try to make a difference. This brought her career medals total to six, tying teammate Cindy Klassen as the Canadian athlete with the most medals. The nice thing about bikes, versus hiking, is that the bikes go fast! the Olympian said. He taught her how to train herself, giving her the tools to understand how much she needed to push herself and when it was enough. 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. To her, it looked like Boucher was floating on the ice. "She's like this old soul," said Hughes. WebHughes touched down in towns in Labrador, Nunavut and Northwest Territories before embarking on the toughest cycling leg of the journey. "I was just, `Omigod, I want to do that. 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. Bike camping combines her joys, being outside and camping, and riding her bike. And another one. I love kids, but other peoples kids. In 2006, she was awarded the Order of Manitoba, and in 2007, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada. I'm not proud of who I was. Larry Weinstein says Clara Hughes, the subject of his latest film, keeps him on his toes. But she would eventually burn out and after a series of injuries quit cycling briefly, only to revive her career under coach Eric Van Den Eynde in Quebec, where she would settle in the Eastern Townships. We recently did a bike tour of Vancouver Island and it was fantastic., A post shared by Clara Hughes (@claraannehughes), Hughes got into bikepacking when she rode from Banff to Vancouver Island with her friend. Shes one of the biggest stories to emerge in Canadian sports, and shes not finished yet. I dont ride my bike daily, I wish I did, but when I do I absolutely love it. In the cold, eating while riding is a problem. "Eric makes you believe," said Hughes. 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. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. At the ceremony, Hughes said, "It is without exception the greatest honour that I have in my life, to have my name here.". Hughes participated in the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics, winning two bronze medals at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, in the individual road race and the individual time trial. Her husband is Peter Guzman Clara Hughes Net Worth Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2020-2021. When we witness the devastation from the extraction industry all over this country, I think its important that the more people can be outside, they can feel closer to the natural side. When Hughes rode through British Columbia, she was aghast at the level of destruction from deforestation and the forest fires. 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. With her experience and endurance earned through cycling, Hughes went on to a successful career competing in the 3,000m and 5,000m. This would eventually lead her to medal in these long-distance events at the Winter Olympics. Bell Lets Talk Day is one day in the year, but I wanted to make it something more. And the greatest one has been the love of riding a bike and the adventures. It will be long, it will be hard. She participated at the 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003 Pan American Games and won eight Pan American Games medals. 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. This is Clara Hughes third time on the CAAWS Most Influential Women List. Hughes feels she achieved her goal of starting a conversation about mental illness and removing the fear of talking about it. She earned her fifth Olympic medal at the 2006 Games, tying the total all-time Canadian medal count record, also held by Marc Gagnon and Phillip Edwards. As Im exhausting myself on the bike, Ill be re-energizing myself and clearing my mind for what were stepping into next. [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. Open since September 2014, the Clara Hughes Public School is located in Oshawa, Ontario. [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. She was coming into the hotel lobby after a ride in the mountains with her cycling team. Bonnie: What is your husband like?Clara: Peter is absolutely the person for me, and Im so lucky to share my life with him. Rare video captures birth of elephant seal in B.C. It uses sport programs to improve health, develop life skills and foster peace for children and communities in disadvantaged countries.) "At the time, I smoked a pack a day. Anything is possible, but its up to us to do it., Clara lives with her husband, Peter Guzman, and they divide their time between two homes: one in the Eastern Townships in Quebec, and the other deep in the mountains of northeast Utah. CALGARY -- Clara Hughes rode her bike 11,000 kilometres for 110 days around Canada to get people talking about mental illness. Hughes started speed skating at the age of 16, and then took up the sport of cycling at the age of 17. They share a passion for being surrounded by nature in the precious times they get to be together. At press time, she and her team were about half-finished, having pedalled roads in Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada, all three territoriesincluding the Arctic Circle and Dempster HighwayB.C. Hughes is an officer of the Order of Canada, a member of Canadas Sports Hall of Fame, a 19-time national cycling champion. government, Blueberry River First Nations sign historic deal, Family of woman who died after altercation with Toronto hospital guards launches $16-million lawsuit, Federal Conservatives open up 7-point lead over Liberals to start 2023: Nanos, Ottawa's notorious Rideau Street McDonald's closing permanently, Winnipeg man dies during honeymoon at Mexican resort, WATCH: Thief flees from police on hood of getaway vehicle, Thieves exploiting major vulnerability in Dodge Ram trucks, Stanford study identifies what influences weight loss the most, Here is where 25 new Zellers stores will open in Canada this year, Looking for a luxury home? She is a rare generous soul who feels strongly that she can use her success in sport to help others, and shes doing that in wonderful ways. Then I'd show up when I wanted to show up. [14], In November 2010, she announced a comeback, indicating her desire to race at the 2012 Summer Olympics. We arent sponsored by anybody because we need to have a variety of foods and drinks or well get totally sick of them. Her speed skating dream took a detour when she was recruited by Mirek Mazur, a cycling coach in Hamilton known for his uncompromising approach. And I just didn't care. On September 23, 2010, she received an honorary degree from the University of New Brunswick in a special Toronto ceremony. Thats what I dream of.(new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=211270ca-96aa-42a9-9b9e-124313270ee0&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "211270ca-96aa-42a9-9b9e-124313270ee0" }).render("1d22893a55fb43ee89ad9fbeafd44000"); }); As the magazine partner for Claras Big Ride, Best Health had the chance for a candid talk with her on a cold, snowy morning in Toronto just days before she headed out on the ride of her life. But dont even think about suggesting that the work shes doing for mental health awareness is on the scale of what Terry Fox did to raise cancer awareness. Everyone were working with at Bell to make this happen genuinely cares, and has a sense of pride in what theyre doing here. In the 2000/2001 season, Hughes made a successful comeback to speed skating, participating in the World Single Distance Championships in Salt Lake City, where she finished 11th in the 3000m. Hughes is one of the few athletes who have competed in both the Summer and Winter Olympic games. "And so there I was, this undisciplined, pseudo-amoral girl, young adolescent, and this thing happened inside of me. She then returned to cycling, at the age of 38, to later successfully return for the 2012 London Olympics. Yeah, were gonna be messed up! The most inspiring person I know is my husband.". Clara Hughes does not have any children. "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. We talked to Clara Hughes about her personal life, and her passion for giving back, Source: Best Health Magazine, May 2012; Photo courtesy Robertson/Velodramatic. WebClara Hughes Marriage Info. Just 13, she was the ringleader of a group of hardscrabble kids who partied in the stairwells of parking garages in the dead of The following season, she qualified for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Im an athlete; Im lucky I have someone to keep an eye on me. (I hadnt realized she is five foot nine.) [12] She started with speed skating, but in 1990 she moved to competitive cycling, competing in track cycling and road cycling. Its a really beautiful team environment. What would I do with it? Her early days certainly didn't foreshadow a speed skater who would donate $10,000 out of her own bank account to the humanitarian group Right To Play after winning gold at the 2006 Turin Olympics. You have to make sure kids have the seed of hope. We couldnt be more opposite. My mom would be so worried about me. Although she has a husband, Peter Guzman, she doesn't have any children. Im definitely back in bike mode., Like some other former Canadian pro cyclists, Hughes has been bitten by the bikepacking bug. With this, she became the second speed skater to win medals in the Summer and Winter Games Christa Luding-Rothenburger won a gold in the 1000m speed skating and silver in the 1000m cycling sprint in 1988. 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. On May 23, 2008, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Manitoba. I think I didn't have a value system because I came from a dysfunctional family. He was undiagnosed, but Ive learned enough about mental illness to know that, without a doubt, he was bipolar. Share on Twitter. How many times has Clara Hughes been married? She participated at the 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003 Pan American Games and won eight Pan American Games medals. We can show that we are more than just athletes. I may be in the best shape of my life50-plus days of cycling will do that! Comments are not open on some news articles; Bell Media reserves the right to choose commenting availability. "The conversation is stimulated and people are really reaching out more and more and more, but what is there for them to reach out to? However, that time is still the Canadian record. Hughes won two bronze in In 2008, Hughes was named an in motion Champion by the Province of Manitoba. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Get the digital edition of Canadian Cycling Magazine. Im lucky to be married to someone who is as intensely motivated to move as I am, or even more soand who really sees the value in this. And we bought a bunch of Gu Gels, and Kind bars are really good. 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. I want this to elevate the conversation so people can feel they are not alone. In July 2011, she finished first in the inaugural Crusher in the Tushar in Beaver, Utah. Im glad to see people making a deeper connection to the natural world. I went through a lot and was just crying, crying, crying in his office and getting a lot of stuff out. And my husband isnt interested either. It really helped. 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. Id thought I could do this alone. People/Characters by cover. Hughes lost two years to mental illness. The women on the MIW are influential women who contributed in a significant way to sport and physical activity in the year 2011. And they will be surprised by what I will do. For now, Hughes will watch the weather, and monitor the situation regarding the pandemic, before her next adventure. Michael D. Reid Jun 12, 2014 6:15 PM. And I kind of like that. My heart goes out to everybody who has been impacted and absolutely you know, when you ride and travel through the land, Hughes said of the area she knows well. I just feel in my gut its the right thing to do. Hughes served as a commentator for cycling events for the CBC's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. It's only good enough to be the best that I can be and better than I ever have been. Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Seriously. Thats fuel for me. Hughes was also a world record holder on 10,000m track with 14:19.73 on March 13, 2007, on the Olympic Oval in Calgary, which was beaten by Martina Sblkov one year later. [23] During the games she won a bronze medal in the 5,000 metres which was also the final Olympic speed skating race of her career. They deserved to be having fun. She is from . Five, 10, 15 years from now I cant wait to hear about kids who were inspired by me. But its about the Canadian story that is different in every community, and I just cant wait for that story to be told. , money, salary, income, and assets. Talking about it is the first step to getting better. The team consists of 13 of the worlds best women cyclists from places like Germany, Sweden, the United States and Australia, and together they compete on the racing circuit.

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