Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame has announced the Class of 2020/21 that will be inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and will receive the Order of Sport award, Canada’s highest sporting honour. With no certainty regarding crowd size restrictions, travel bans and general safety measures, the Induction celebration has been postponed to 2021. This year’s remarkable class of athletes and builders who continue to shape their sports, communities and our country, will be honoured at an as-yet unspecified date.
Six athletes and five builders were chosen this year to signify and celebrate Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s 65th anniversary year. They were selected from over 260 public nominations and by a committee comprised of sports broadcasters, writers, academics and athletes, all for their ability to lead and inspire both on and off the field of play, for their sports accomplishments and in recognition of their continuing role in building Canada through sport and the value they return to their communities.
In equestrian sport, the powerhouse show jumping team of Eric Lamaze and the stallion Hickstead are one of the Hall of Fame inductees. The remarkable pair won dozens of major Grand Prix events around the world, claimed team silver and individual bronze at the Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro, and at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, led Canada to team silver and captured the first Olympic gold medal in individual show jumping. For Eric and Hickstead’s full biography, click here.
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020/21 Inductees are:
John “Jackie” Barrett- Athlete, Powerlifting and Special Olympian
Sonja Gaudet – Athlete, Wheelchair Curling
Diane Jones Konihowski – Athlete, Athletics
Lorie Kane – Athlete, Golf
Eric Lamaze and Hickstead – Team, Equestrian – Show Jumping
Steve Nash – Athlete, Basketball
Duncan Campbell – Builder, Wheelchair Rugby
Sheldon Kennedy- Builder, Ice Hockey
Judy Kent – Builder – Sport Administration
Willie O’Ree – Builder, Ice Hockey
Ross Powless – Builder, Lacrosse
“It is an honour for myself and Hickstead to be recognized for our achievements by Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame,” stated Lamaze, 52, in a press release. “I’m especially happy for Hickstead. In our sport, it takes two athletes, one human and one equine, working together and in Hickstead I found a true partner. It’s wonderful that his accomplishments are being recognized for the great athletic feats that they were.
“Together, we were proud to represent Canada on the world stage,” he continued. “My sincerest thanks to all who supported this nomination and made it possible. I gratefully accept this honour on behalf of all of our supporters, our fans, and our great nation.”
“In these uncertain times, we are thrilled to be able to share a good news story and to have this remarkable group of people to induct into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame next year, said Cheryl Bernard, President and CEO, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. “We’ve never been more proud of our sports history, our sports champions, and their community spirit, and we are formally recognizing these athletes and builders for living and sharing sports values – Canada’s shared values; respect, equality, fairness and openness. We look forward to bringing Canada together in 2021 to celebrate this exceptional Class when we induct and award them with the Order of Sport for their beyond sport contributions to our country.”
About Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Located in Calgary, Alberta at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is a registered charitable organization and has been a vital cultural institution in Canada for the past 65 years. As one of North America’s oldest sports museums, the organization’s focus is on recognition, education, curation, and thought leadership. These four pillars help to support and celebrate Canada’s sport heroes for the value and impact they return to their communities. Over 673 people have been inducted into the Hall of Fame since its establishment in 1955, and as of 2019, the new Order of Sport is awarded as part of induction to Canada’s top athletes and builders for their ongoing role in building Canada through sport.
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