Para-alpine ski racer Lauren Woolstencroft (North Vancouver, BC) introduced Peter Lougheed and Anne Letheren at the Canadian Olympic Committee Hall of Fame Gala Friday in Montreal, continuing a series of unique public appearances for Woolstencroft since her remarkable performance at last month’s 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.
Woolstencroft, who won five gold medals to become the most decorated female athlete ever at a single Paralympic Winter Games, said she really enjoyed being a part of Friday’s event as well as the athlete parade down Ste-Catherine Street. It was just one in a handful of events Woolstencroft has been invited participate in since the Paralympic Games ended five weeks ago.
Since then, Woolstencroft has participated in the ceremonial faceoff to open NHL hockey games in Vancouver, BC and Toronto, ON. She has appeared on CTV’s Canada AM and CBC’s ‘The Hour’ with George Stroumboulopoulos as well as numerous other media appearances in B.C., where she resides.
“I have to say, dropping the puck at the Canucks game, that was an amazing experience,” said the 28-year-old resident of North Vancouver. “Seeing all those hockey players that I usually cheer for on television was definitely unreal, especially having (Canucks goalie Roberto) Luongo standing right in front of me.”
“And I have been a big fan of the ‘The Hour’ for a while, so it was definitely a nerve-racking experience being on the show, one that I will not yet forget,” added Woolstencroft.
She has also made a number of public appearances including being presented with a watch from a Winter Games sponsor at a downtown Vancouver shop location.
Woolstencroft was selected as Canada’s flagbearer during the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Paralympic Games.
“One of the highlights of my Vancouver Paralympic Games is most definitely winning the first gold medal in the slalom event and carrying the flag during the closing ceremonies. That was an amazing honor, one I was really proud of. Apparently, it was really cold and it was raining but, to be honest, all I remember is seeing people dressed in red and white and smiling back at me,” said Woolstencroft, who also met Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister of State (Sport) Gary Lunn just days after winning her fifth gold medal.
“I have to say the most unusual experience that I have had since the end of the Games has been that people I don’t even know actually recognize me on the streets, at the grocery stores and in restaurants. It happened to me a few times, it’s quite shocking,” Woolstencroft said.
At the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Whistler, BC, Canada’s para-alpine skiers captured 13 of the host nations 19 medals won beating the team record of 12 medals, achieved at the Nagano Games in 1998 and the Salt Lake City Games in 2002.
Woolstencroft was joined by several other skiers who participated in the 2010 Winter Games during Friday’s parade on Ste-Catherine Street and Gala event along with a significant number of Olympians and Paralympians from other sports.
Speed skater Susan Auch, kayaker Caroline Brunet, sprinter Bruny Surin, coach Paul Poce, builder Carol Anne Letheren (posthumously), builder Peter Lougheed and builder Walter Sieber were inducted into the The 2010 Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame on Friday.
