Sunday, February 24, 2002
Hughes was inspired but is now an inspiration to others
By ERIC FRANCIS -- Team Sun
KEARNS, Utah -- Throughout her life, inspiration has come in many forms for Clara Hughes.
Yesterday, it was the memory of a fallen friend who helped her make history as one of the world's most versatile Olympians.
"Before the race, I thought about my friend Nicole Reinhart, who died in a cycling accident before the Sydney Olympics," said Hughes of her former cycling teammate after finishing third in the 5,000m.
"Nicole was with me again today and so was my first speed skating coach, Peter Williamson, who passed away in 1991. I felt really, really inspired and felt like I had to go out there and skate with my heart and wings on my skates."
Just under seven minutes later, she had made history as Canada's only Olympian to medal in both the Winter and Summer Games.
"I've had a picture of Nicole beside my bed these whole Games and I looked at it this morning and I said 'this is for you,' " said the 29-year-old Winnipegger.
"It was her dream to be at the Olympics and today she was -- in my heart."
Taking up speed skating seriously just two years ago and having raced in the 5,000m only nine times in her life, Hughes' historic medal performance at the Utah Olympic Oval was a shocking upset for a newcomer ranked 13th on the World Cup.
Ironically, it was from watching other unlikely victories at these very Games that she gained a belief she could surpass her wildest expectations.
"It's just eliminating fear and expectations," said Hughes, when asked to explain a shocking performance that shaved more than six seconds off her personal best.
"I thought a lot about that this week, especially after watching people like (gold medal-winning) figure skater Sarah Hughes skate with freedom. I thought, 'that's what it takes.' Same with the Canadian women's hockey team -- they were underdogs and they did it. If you win the race in your mind before you step on the line, that's it. I knew I was the underdog and I just had to skate my heart out."
Hughes insists she also drew strength from a world record-setting skate earlier in the day by Gretha Smit, which reminded her to "just go for it."
Now she hopes her performance will serve as an inspiration to others.
"One day in 1988, I was inspired by Gaetan Boucher and it changed my life," said Hughes, who tried speed skating for two years after seeing Boucher's at the Olympics in Calgary.
"Hopefully, I can be in the same position, showing people today that if you have a dream and you pursue it the sky is the limit and nobody can stop you."
Tanya Dubnicoff, a former cyclist and close friend of Hughes, pegged the fiery redhead to finish in third place long before the race began.
"I predicted she'd get bronze ... I had a good feeling," said Dubnicoff, who works at the Olympic Oval and coaches junior cyclists in Calgary.
The two have a long history together, dating back to 1989, where they got into cycling at the same time in Winnipeg.
Both would compete in the Olympics, with Hughes winning two bronze medals at the Atlanta Games 1996.
"I'm so proud of her," said Dubnicoff, a four-time Pan-Am Games gold medallist.
--with files from Cameron Maxwell
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2002 Games Columnists
