Catriona Le May Doan is no stranger to athletics and the spirit of competition. As a Saskatchewan-born, two-time Olympic gold medalist, she was a natural choice as a speaker to address the Saskatchewan 2016 Summer Games athletes and guests from across the province who filled Affinity Place, last Sunday for the official opening.
Before she spoke to guests, athletes, coaches, staff and volunteers in the opening ceremony, Le May Doan took some time to meet with her fans outside. Le May Doan made a stop at the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame Travelling Exhibit, in the parking lot of the Civic Auditorium.
Le May Doan expressed her excitement to be in Estevan for the Games, and her appearance at the opening ceremony. Earlier that day, she took a tour of Estevan, checking out the many Games venues, and watching some of the athletes training.
“It’s stressful, but it’s exciting too. But that’s sport. The great thing is that sport encompasses all the emotions, all the highs and lows. It encompasses everything we’ll experience in life,” said Le May Doan. “It’s a great tool for learning, and for dealing with successes and failures.”
Le May Doan took some time before participating in the ceremony to speak to fans and sign autographs.
“It’s humbling and an honour. It doesn’t matter to me if I’m at the Sask. Games, or the Olympic games; it’s all about talking to the athletes and it’s talking with your peers,” said Le May Doan. “Even though they’re youngsters, I’ve been on the same boat, getting nervous, and having family there, watching.”
Le May Doan’s speech after the opening parade of athletes touched on the importance of the pride they felt in what they’d accomplished, and what to do and expect during and after the Games.
“Some will have great results, and some will be disappointed,” she said. “I understand that, in sport. It’s how you persevere and how you go onto success in life. If I can share a little bit with them and help them recognize this great goal, I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.”
Doan said that she considers talking to the younger generation of athletes competing in the Games to be a role and duty of hers, as an athlete who has experiences participating in the Canada Championships and Olympics. She emphasized the similarities in their experiences to what she felt and encountered in her speed skating days.
When asked what she thought the purpose of the Games are, Le May Doan said pride in one’s own region and community were most important, as well as the development of athletes, coaches, and volunteers.
“It’s all about the experience of multi-sport Games. It’s different because all of a sudden, you’re part of a bigger, greater team. And, it really is an eye-opener for those athletes,” said Le May Doan. “I want to give back and reach out to others, to help them through the process and the journey. I was blessed to be from this province. It was always super supportive, and I was always very proud.”
