Maelle Ricker retires, Team Canada reacts
Future looks bright for this Olympian, just ask new minister Carla Qualtrough
The first Canadian woman to win an Olympic gold medal on Canadian soil, Maelle Ricker, retired from competitive snowboarding on Wednesday.
Maëlle Ricker - the 1st Canadian woman to win Olympic gold on home soil - retired from snowboarding today <a href="https://t.co/WW924MMTsH">https://t.co/WW924MMTsH</a>
—@CBCMontrealRicker has had a long and successful snowboarding career, one full of many ups: she's the only snowboarder to win Olympic, world championship and X Games titles.
And downs: she had to skip the 2002 Winter Olympics due to injury and was injured at the 2006 Olympics.
PHOTOS: The highs and lows of snowboard star <a href="https://twitter.com/maellericker">@maellericker</a>'s great career <a href="https://t.co/BIbx05il2Y">https://t.co/BIbx05il2Y</a> <a href="https://t.co/JSgkXUIyHm">pic.twitter.com/JSgkXUIyHm</a>
—@cbcsportsWithout a doubt she has inspired future generations of snowboarders as a pioneer in the sport.
Canadian athletes reach out via social media
Two-time Olympian and slalom specialist Brad Spence wished her luck on the next chapter. Perhaps he can provide Ricker with some solid advice as he retired from alpine skiing in 2014.
Congrats on an incredible ride <a href="https://twitter.com/maellericker">@maellericker</a> - hats off to your successes along the way. Here's to the next chapter! <a href="https://t.co/t4NnIFlNzt">https://t.co/t4NnIFlNzt</a>
—@bradcspenceLong distance runner and #RoadtoRio hopeful Krista Duchene was such a fan of Ricker's that she made 'Maëlle' her daughter's middle name.
All the best <a href="https://twitter.com/maellericker">@maellericker</a> Our daughter's middle name is Maelle,thanks 2 u! Your Olympic road ends, mine begins.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio?src=hash">#Rio</a> <a href="https://t.co/aT4X6hSm7w">https://t.co/aT4X6hSm7w</a>
—@kristaducheneEdmonton Oilers defenceman Andrew Ference had some kind words for Ricker.
What a champ and a fantastic human! Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/maellericker">@maellericker</a> on an incredible career!
—@FerknuckleFellow snowboarder and #RBCsportsday Ambassador Mercedes Nicoll spoke for all Canadians.
A friend, an athlete and an inspiration 💓🏂🇨🇦 <a href="https://twitter.com/maellericker">@maellericker</a> you make Canadians proud congrats xoxo <a href="https://t.co/nuvnAKptBp">https://t.co/nuvnAKptBp</a>
—@mercedesnicollWhile fellow Olympic medallist and teammate Dominique Maltais thanked Ricker for their time together on Team Canada.
Maelle Ricker may be ending her competitive snowboarding chapter, but there is much opportunity for hard-working athletes after they retire from competition.
Just look at former Paralymic swimmer Carla Qualtrough, who was named Canada's new minister for sport and persons with disabilities in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet on Wednesday.
Congratulations to Paralympian <a href="https://twitter.com/CQualtro">@CQualtro</a> on being named Minister of Sport, and Persons with Disabilities for 🇨🇦 <a href="https://t.co/yhtCHB2yb8">pic.twitter.com/yhtCHB2yb8</a>
—@CDNParalympicsCongratulations to both Maelle Ricker and the honourable Carla Qualtrough; the future looks bright for sport in Canada.