Cindy Klassen
Cindy Klassen
Cindy Klassen, OMis a retired Canadian long track speed skater. She is a six-time medalist having achieved one gold, two silver, three bronze at the Winter Olympics. Klassen is tied with Clara Hughes for Canada's all-time most decorated Olympian with six medals each. Both Klassen and Hughes are from Winnipeg...
ProfessionSpeed Skater
Date of Birth12 August 1979
sports country want
We're all doing it for the love of the sport. We want to make Canada proud. I'm so fortunate to skate in a country like Canada.
backing means praying
I know that they're all praying for me and really backing me up and that just means the world to me.
comforts coming excited home hopeful preparing relax seeing
I'm hopeful to get one day off to relax in Calgary before preparing for the worlds. But it's all up to my coach. I'm really excited about coming home and seeing everyone and being back in the comforts of home.
basically enjoy hate hit lap last learned pace race starting taught
I used to hate the 1,500 because you basically have to pace yourself and the last lap is so hard. It's like you've hit a wall. But I learned to really enjoy it now. I learned a lot from Neal. He taught me how to race it differently, too, so I'm starting to really enjoy that race.
attention face maybe nice people staring weird
It was very nice of them, but it's weird having attention like that because I'm just not used to it. Sometimes, people will be staring and I'll think, 'Why are they staring at me? Maybe there's something on my face or something.' It is all kind of strange.
corner finish home last mind racing stay stretch strong technique
Racing down the last corner and going down the home stretch I thought in mind that Anni could come by me at any point. I just wanted to stay together, keep my technique strong and finish strong.
great lit
She went out and just lit it up. She had a great race.
bad felt gold great happen special win
I felt really bad for her after the 500. You never want to see that happen with any skater. She's a great athlete. It's really special for her to win this gold medal.
team athlete successful
I am honored to be selected as Canada's flag bearer for the closing ceremony of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Over the past 16 days we've had some outstanding performances by Canadian athletes and it is truly overwhelming to be selected as the flag bearer amidst the most successful Canadian Olympic Winter Games team ever.
sports thinking people
I've won a medal, but that's nothing compared to the crown I'll get in Heaven. I see a lot of people in sports who think when they reach a certain level they've got it made, but really, you can only find happiness in the Lord.
olympics vancouver looks
The Canadians have really stepped it up these Olympics. It looks very promising for Vancouver.
distance games events
Coming into the Games I knew I was in five events but I didn't expect to get a medal in every distance, especially the 5,000.
thinking games proud
I'm so proud of how well Canada did at the Games here. It think we're going to do even better in 2010.
dream growing-up winning
Growing up, you always dream of winning a gold medal. But coming into these Games, it wasn't something I was focused on. I'm just enjoying skating. This is the best season ever. I think that this year, my 3,000 meters has been stronger than the 1,500. The 1,500 has been anybody's race this year. When I was first, I still didn't know if that was enough.