"I was so lucky that tough bastard came into my life when he did because he challenged me," said Hughes. However, that time is still the Canadian record. [4], Hughes is one of the few athletes who have competed in both the Summer and Winter Olympic games. Hughes is one of only five people to have podium finishes in the Winter and Summer versions of the games, and is the only person ever to have won multiple medals in both. "She's like this old soul," said Hughes. For example, Peter walked the Continental Divide solo from Mexico to Canada; it took him seven months, walking 45 miles a day with a backpack. "It makes me realize I will be competitive until my grave. I used to think, What am I doing training for the Olympics when theres so much that needs to be done in mental health? On September 23, 2010, she received an honorary degree from the University of New Brunswick in a special Toronto ceremony. [12] She started with speed skating, but in 1990 she moved to competitive cycling, competing in track cycling and road cycling. At the 2011 Pan American Championships, Hughes won the individual time trial and road race, both by a big margin. WebSuper stoked to hand-deliver paddleboards to Clara Hughes & Peter Guzman! Hes American and now also a proud Canadian. Communities and companies can raise money, if they wish, to give directly to mental health initiatives of their choice. Clara Hughes was married to Peter Guzman. (Based in Toronto, RTP is an international humanitarian organization started by Norwegian speed-skating legend Johan Olaf Koss. But at the time, I didn't care about anything. People/Characters by cover. Each day means a ride of anywhere from less than 100 kilometres up to about 200, with most Sundays as rest days. He has his own comfort zone. On April 7, 2010, she was made an officer of the Order of Canada. The Dempster Highway is dirt and it should be frozen; were going to be riding the 800 kilometres on studded tires. She was named Female Athlete of the Year by Speed Skating Canada in 2004 for long track. The hill, which leaves downtown Dundas and heads North for 1.5 km, was made famous in 2015 when it was officially named Claras climb by the city of Dundas, in honour of Hughes. Published Tuesday, January 27, 2015 10:42AM EST, 11,000 kilometres later: Highlights from Clara's Big Ride, Canadian, back home from Ukraine, shares harrowing stories of life on the front lines, Winnipeg woman's husband dies on honeymoon in Mexico, B.C. I want this to elevate the conversation so people can feel they are not alone. 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. For example, Hughes was riding through Iqaluit in early May when NorthwesTel presented a $68,000 cheque to Nunavut Help Line. well have a lot of rain. I was wasting my life. 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. Bonnie: Are you close with your parents and sister?Clara: My sister is a mom; shes in Winnipeg. But most people dont have that person to talk to. I left home at 18. Hughes husband of 18 years, Peter Guzman, is doing the entire Ride with her, and Hughes has lined up three close cyclist friends who, one at a time, will join them along the way. His no-nonsense methods, which included Hughes logging 23,000 kilometres per year, would give her discipline and a conditioning base that pays dividends to this day. "And so there I was, this undisciplined, pseudo-amoral girl, young adolescent, and this thing happened inside of me. Place Stadium for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics on Feb. 12 didn't get there via the yellow brick road. Bell Media reviews every comment submitted, and reserves the right to approve comments and edit for brevity and clarity. The moments on this Ride have been some of the most memorable of my life.. Corporate Canada is covering the Ride expenses, and Hughes is donating her time for it. [5] Hughes is one of only six people to have podium finishes in the Winter and Summer versions of the Games, and is the only person ever to have won multiple medals in both. Perhaps one of the reasons she was able to pull herself out of her destructive life so often is her great intellect. I love bike camping and touring and will do it until the day I die. CALGARY -- Clara Hughes rode her bike 11,000 kilometres for 110 days around Canada to get people talking about mental illness. But there will definitely be another one. "When I see kids that are like that now, I think, `You don't know where this can lead you. Hughes would also have the good fortune of encountering coaches who would become her guides on an incredible journey that has seen her become the first Canadian to win medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympics. And Im going to play my role to its maximum. Guzman also showed her the world was bigger than the limited cycle-oriented world she'd carved out for herself. What am I saying or doing? A one-hour television special chronicling her journey airs Wednesday on CTV and will also be available all day on CTV.ca and CraveTV. She is involved with Right To Play, which is an athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that uses sports to encourage the development of youth in disadvantaged areas. I dont know. Hughes won two bronze in Extra Old Stock. Her time of 6:55.73 became a new track record, though her time was soon beaten by Stephanie Beckert of Germany and gold medalist Martina Sblkov of the Czech Republic. She went from failing school to becoming a straight-A student. But this past year, Ive really got back into cycling, and I forgot how much joy it is for me to ride a bike. 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. There was this kid in Ethiopia whod had his hand blown off by a land mine. She would eventually return to the sport of speed skating at the age of 28, after achieving success in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The thing about Clara, though, is that her passion extends way, way beyond winning medals. Okay, here goes: The 39-year-old speed skater and cyclist, "I was just, `Omigod, I want to do that. 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. Bonnie: Do you think youll have kids?Clara: No. So many people have these medals, and all they do is show them off to people. It's been almost seven months since the 42-year-old from Winnipeg concluded her epic ride on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. We made some bad choicesdrugs, smoking. [9] After winning her gold medal in 2006, she donated $10,000 to Right to Play. Many burn out. Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Works (1) Titles: Order: Open Heart, Open Mind by Clara Hughes: Character description. Bonnie: Did you ever consider suicide?Clara: I have friends who tried it and failed. 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. Hughes husband of 18 years, Peter Guzman, is doing the entire Ride with her, and Hughes has lined up three close cyclist friends who, one at a time, will join them along the way. And I kind of like that. 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. 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. He's the kind of guy who will spend a whole conversation asking you questions about yourself, never talking about himself unless asked. I knew about the Olympics but I didnt care about them. Well use Norma-Tec [a high-tech, full-leg compression boot for quicker recovery]; they really work. You are contributing to debate and discussion, and helping to make this website a more open place. The American-born Guzman, who became a Canadian citizen last year, is a gentle soul, an adventurer who goes on epic journeys on his bike, in a kayak and on foot. Well have a full-time therapist to keep us moving, and a doctor on call. Don't think too much.' No exaggeration: This saved my life [shaking her head]. I just feel in my gut its the right thing to do. 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. Share on Twitter. 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'm not proud of who I was. If you're using an alias, make sure it's unique. With a headwind, youre on your bike, going as hard as you canand that grain elevator you saw ahead in the distance four hours ago? Hughes was the first Canadian woman to win a medal in road cycling at the Olympics, winning two in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. In May 2011, she took first in the Tour of the Gila, winning two stages. WebClara Hughes, (born September 27, 1972, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada), cyclist and speed skater who is the only Canadian athlete to have won medals at both the Summer and Winter Olympics, with two medals in cycling and four medals in speed skating. The first thought I had on seeing Clara Hughes in the flesh, in California at her training camp just before Christmas, was, Wow, shes tall. Hughes was born in Winnipeg, and is a graduate of Elmwood High School. Rain will be the worst; cold is more manageable. Her husband is Peter Guzman Clara Hughes Net Worth Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2020-2021. This is the reality. Seeing Gaetan Boucher win at speed skating in Calgary meant so much to me. And another one. Its always been my goal to be that inspirational person. She became the fourth person and second woman to win medals at the Summer and Winter Games. The kids we help through RTP, they get a sparkle in their eyes, a light, and its what happened to me when I saw Boucher. At 50 years old, Clara Hughes height Listen and subscribe to get a weekly update with the newsmakers who matter. For me, one of its first signs was when I called him from Vancouver in 2010 after I won my bronze [in 5,000-metre speed-skating]. WebShe is a member of famous Skaterwith the age 49 years oldgroup. My struggles arent completely behind me; its still always there. Hughes won two bronze in the 1996 Summer Olympics and four medals (one gold, one silver, two bronze) over the course of three Winter Olympics. She tries to do it as much as possible, sometimes even solo. However, that time is still the Canadian record. 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. Does Clara Hughes have a husband? She would eventually return to the sport of speed skating at the age of 28, after achieving success in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. So I started working with a psychologist in early 2013. Rare video captures birth of elephant seal in B.C. She became a reader, a hiker, a creative artist and a Id be thinking, Oh my God, youre at the Olympics. A check-in on the public mood of Canadians with hosts Michael Stittle and Nik Nanos. So after London 2012, I figured it wouldnt be so hard. [15] At the 2011 Pan American Championships, Hughes won the individual time trial and road race, both by a big margin. [14], In November 2010, she announced a comeback, indicating her desire to race at the 2012 Summer Olympics. For example, in my first biking race I won $850 for eighth place, and was top in Manitoba. Its still in the distance. [28] Her memoir, Open Heart, Open Mind, was published in 2015.[29]. Hughes served as a commentator for cycling events for the CBC's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She finished 32nd, with the peloton, in the road race at the 2012 Olympics. In the cold, eating while riding is a problem. Skip to main content.us. I asked Trent Stellingwerff to plan the nutrition and vitamins. [11] She was inspired to begin skating after witnessing Gatan Boucher at the 1988 Winter Olympics. But I saw his intense expression, and thats the moment I just knew what I wanted to do. No, no, no, she firmly responds. I am still learning new things about him every day. Please be advised: We have estimated What makes a champion isnt how many medals are hanging around our necks. Already 5-foot-9, she wore a lot of makeup and didn't even have to use fake ID to purchase a couple of two-fours from a local beer vendor. [8] She finished 32nd, with the peloton, in the road race[19] and finished 5th in the road time trial at the 2012 Olympics.[20]. (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"); }); I interviewed her over a couple of days during her training camp in Carlsbad, California, this past December. I had just come off competitive success, was probably over-training, and I cracked mentally and physically. There is a plaque there in her honour describing her training and accomplishments. The downward spiral began after her parents split when she was 9. I thought he was drunk. Her mother called the Winnipeg Speed Skating Club and found out there was a spring training camp. Yeah, were gonna be messed up! I cant believe where my life has gone since then. We will not publish comments that link to outside websites. Then I'd show up when I wanted to show up. Interior. is her 'greatest honour', Olympic champions in women's 5000 m speed skating, World champions in women's 5000 m speed skating, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clara_Hughes&oldid=1134275090, Speed skaters at the 2002 Winter Olympics, Speed skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics, Speed skaters at the 2010 Winter Olympics, Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Canada, Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for Canada, Pan American Games gold medalists for Canada, Pan American Games silver medalists for Canada, Pan American Games bronze medalists for Canada, Pages using Template:Post-nominals with missing parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 21:31. In the Interior there is a particular tribe that listened to their elders who said someday this lake bed will fill up again one day so you need to build high and the tribe was able to not be impacted by the floods as they did build high., Like all Canadians, Hughes has seen the images of the floods that have decimated much of the B.C. [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. [32], On April 7, 2010, she was made an officer of the Order of Canada. The next day her mom was driving her to a friend's house and Hughes blurted out that she wanted to go to the Olympics and be a speed skater. Clara Hughes does not have any children. She was inspired to begin skating after witnessing Gatan Boucher at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Hughes and Guzman hiked 850 kilometres of the Appalachian Trail from Dec. 3 to Jan. 12 and winter-camped along the way. [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. and Alberta. So I decided to go southbound on that trail and it ended up being the perfect year to go.. I would run away from home for the weekend. Another way is her generosity to charitable organizations, including Right To Play (RTP). A four-time participant of the women's Tour de France, Hughes has won the 1994 Women's Challenge and the 1997 Liberty Classic. I'm not doing this because, `Well, I'm good enough to go.' ", "Olympic heroes: Double doses of Eddie Eagan", "Cyclists Ryder Hesjedal, Clara Hughes join Olympic team", "Congratulations to Right To Play Athlete Ambassador Clara Hughes Canada's flag bearer for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games", "Medal winner Clara Hughes makes $10,000 donation to Vancouver charity", "Clara Hughes talks about moving on after the Olympics", "Olympian Clara Hughes making a comeback for 2012 Games", "Clara Hughes beats Stevens and Neben to win Pan Am games time trial", "Hughes solos to victory, earns second Panamerican gold", "Incredible! 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. 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. 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