Champion speed skater Catriona LeMay Doan supports Special Olympians in Corner Brook

She's nothing less than a superstar in the sports world, and now former speed skater and two-time Olympic gold medalist Catriona LeMay Doan is bringing her expertise and support to Special Olympics athletes in western Newfoundland. 

LeMay Doan is honorary coach of the Corner Brook event — and much more.

"We are just yelling, cheering, meeting the families, meeting the athletes. We are everywhere," LeMay Doan said.

The Saskatchewan native won the 500-metre speed skating title at the Olympics in Nagano, Japan, in 1998 and took the gold again at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. She also has several world titles to her credit.

Enjoys seeing athletes grow

LeMay Doan has been involved in the Special Olympics for a number of years, but this is her first national Special Olympic Winter Games and she's thrilled to be part of the Corner Brook experience.
    
"It's wonderful to get to know them and to be part of their journey and for the families as well. You know, they have put so much time and effort and finances into this," she said.

A great advocate of the benefits of sport, LeMay Doan said she has met many of the Special Olympics athletes at several events over the years and can see how sport has helped them — physically, mentally and emotionally.

"We've really seen how they've grown within their sport, but as individuals," LeMay Doan said.

"A lot of them have speaking roles and have developed their confidence and it's wonderful to see what sport has done for them and helped them grow."

LeMay Doan believes the power of sport can't be underestimated for people of any age or ability.

"Sport has that power, not only physically does it do something for us — mentally and emotionally," she said.

"It's about life, it's about competition, it's about joy, it's about disappointment, it's about all those things." 

Sport for Life

LeMay Doan may have reached the pinnacle in her own competitive speed skating career, but she said sport is about much more than that.

"I promote sport, even with my own children — [it] doesn't matter to me what level you are," she said.

LeMay Doan still practices what she preaches. At age 45, sport continues to be a big part of her life.

"Now even retired from competitive sport, I still do sport, I still play. I call it old lady hockey and old hockey ringette, but it's still competitive," she laughs.

"Sport at any level does so much for our growth as individuals."