Catriona Le May Doan is one of Canada’s most celebrated speed skaters and a transformative leader in Canadian sport. Over an eight-year span, she helped fuel a national resurgence in international speed skating, winning Gold in the 500 metres at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano and successfully defending her title at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City—becoming the first Canadian to defend an Olympic Gold Medal. A multiple-time world champion and World Cup overall winner, she set world records throughout her career and was awarded the Lou Marsh Trophy (now Northern Star Award) as Canada’s Outstanding Athlete in 2002.

Since retiring from competition in 2003, Catriona has continued to make a lasting impact through leadership, media, and sport administration. She served as Canada’s Chef de Mission at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and currently chairs the Canada Games Council, championing sport as a celebration of Canada’s diversity, culture, and shared identity. An Officer of the Order of Canada, she is an inductee of the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and remains a powerful advocate for the life-changing impact of sport. Catriona Le May Doan was awarded the Order of Sport and inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. 

Beckie Scott is a trailblazer in Canadian cross-country skiing whose legacy extends far beyond the podium. At the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, she became the first Canadian—and the first North American woman—to win an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing. Originally awarded Bronze in the 5-kilometre pursuit, she was later awarded Gold following doping violations by competitors ahead of her, becoming a global symbol of integrity, resilience, and clean sport. She added a Silver Medal in the team sprint at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Turin and earned 15 World Cup medals over a distinguished international career.

Following her retirement, Beckie emerged as a powerful advocate for athlete rights and sport integrity. She has served in leadership roles with the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency, and founded Spirit North, a non-profit organization empowering Indigenous youth through sport. Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Nordiq Canada, she continues to champion the transformative power of sport for individuals and communities. An Officer of the Order of Canada, Beckie is an inductee of the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. She was awarded the Order of Sport and inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.