Le May Doan named Canada's top female athlete
Olympic gold medallist speed skater wins award for 2nd year in a row
Canada's speed skating queen Catriona Le May Doan was named 2002 female athlete of the year at the 30th annual Canadian Sport Award dinner on Tuesday.
Le May Doan received the honour in recognition for a year in which she captured Olympic gold at the Salt Lake City Games in the 500 metres and won the 2002 world sprint championship.
It is the second straight year in which Le May Doan has taken the top female award. It could also be the last for the Saskatoon native. After a disappointing and injury-filled season, Le May Doan recently admitted her memorable career is drawing to a close.
"It feels like it," Le May Doan said. "I have to really sit down with people and talk about it "
In her career, Le May Doan has won the 500-metre world title and world sprint crown four times each. She's been the 500-metre World Cup champion three times and 1,000-metre champ once.
Here are all the award winners from the 30th annual Canadian Sport Awards for 2002:
Female Athlete of the Year Catriona Le May Doan, Saskatoon, speed skating.
Male Athlete of the Year Roland Green, Victoria, cycling.
Pair of the Year Jamie Sale, Red Deer, Alta., and David Pelletier, Sayabec, Que., figure skating.
Female Team of the Year 2002 Olympic hockey team.
Male Team of the Year 2002 Olympic hockey team.
Coach of the Year Daniele Sauvageau, Montreal, women's Olympic hockey team.
Junior Male Athlete of the Year Alexandre Despatie, Laval, Que., diving.
Junior Female Athlete of the Year Jennifer Spalding, Vancouver, sailing.
Athlete Leadership Award Ian Bird, vice-president of Athletes Can and chief executive officer of the ESTEEM Team Association.
Leadership in Sports Jim Thompson, President, Canadian Olympic Committee president (posthumously).
Volunteer Achievement Award Dick Pound, International and Canadian Olympic Committees.
Spirit of Sport Story of the Year Simon Ibell, Victoria, for raising awareness for muchopolysacharridosis (MPS) during a 10-day, 300-kilometre cycling event.
Spirit of Sport Inspired Youth Award Fraser Drad, Stonewall, Man.