SUTTON, QC,
Feb. 9
/CNW Telbec/ - At Sutton's last municipal council meeting, the mayor and councilors voted a resolution to honor
Clara Hughes
by naming a commemorative site in her name. The resident of the municipality of Sutton in the Eastern Townships, member of the national speed skating team, will be Canada's flag bearer at the next winter Olympic Games in
Vancouver
, starting
February 12
.
"We want to honor Clara as an athlete, but also as a person", says Sutton mayor
Pierre Pelland
. "The municipal council believes Clara is a model by her perseverance and her desire to always do better. What we really like about Clara, is despite being an Olympic champion, she is always down to earth and friendly. She gives a lot back to the community with her involvement in the international humanitarian program Right to Play."
An exceptional athlete
Clara Hughes
will be participating in her third Winter Olympic Games and her medal count is quite impressive. She won the gold in the 5000 meters speed skating competition in
Torino
,
Italy
in 2006, silver in the team pursuit in 2006 and bronze in 2002 in the 5000 meters speed skating in
Salt Lake City
. Not only is
Clara Hughes
an exceptional speed skater, she is also an accomplished cyclist. In 1996, as a member of the Canadian cycling team, she took bronze in the time trials and road race in
Atlanta
. Clara is the only Canadian athlete to have won multiple medals in both Winter and Summer Olympics.
"I'm very surprised and happy to know that the town of Sutton would like to name a site after me, said
Clara Hughes
, who was in
Vancouver
putting the finishing touches on her preparation for the upcoming Olympics. I've always considered Sutton as my oasis of peace. It's a place where I feel I belong. It's with great humility that I accept the town's proposition."
For now, the municipality has not decided what site will be designated in honor of
Clara Hughes
. As soon as a decision on the matter has been taken we will let you know.
For further information: For further information: Patrick Mahony, (514) 677-6682; Jean Perrault, (514) 499-9345
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