Every athlete has a story, but Catriona Le May Doan’s stands apart. This International Women’s Day, we spotlight Catriona as a force on and off the ice who continues to leverage the power of sport to transform people and communities.

From the icy rinks of Saskatoon, to a record-breaking speed skating career and a leadership role in shaping Canadian sport, Catriona’s story is one of perseverance, purpose and passion. She has paved the way for future generations, all rooted in the humble beginnings where her spark was first ignited.

“In a cold arena in Saskatoon is where it all started, but my parents weren't sports people, and they immigrated from Scotland. My sisters and I would see different sports and say, ‘I want to try this’, and I actually started with ringette.”

Catriona went from ringette to speed skating alongside her older sister, and she not only excelled but set the stage for a distinguished career. The Canada Games were one of her first stops before she became a household name for Canada; she competed at the 1983 and 1987 Canada Games in speed skating as well as the 1993 Canada Games in athletics.

“As an athlete, my fondest memory from the Canada Games are the people. It was understanding that it was more than just me and more than just my sport, and meeting athletes beyond my team and from across Canada. It was also about that pride of representing my province and donning the green and white of Saskatchewan. I still have all of my clothing, all of my outfits and all of my pins, because I am so proud of having been a part of those teams.”

Her dominance on the ice propelled her to win two Olympic gold medals in the 500m – once in Nagano in 1998 and again in Salt Lake City in 2002– making her the first Canadian to successfully defend an Olympic title. Beyond the Olympics, she set and broke her own world records, cementing her place in speed skating history.

A key figure in Catriona’s journey was her mother, who's quiet but steadfast support gave her the confidence to pursue her dreams.

"My mom was never about anybody being showy or bragging; it was about doing stuff for other people. And I remember her never pushing me, but saying before my first Olympics that 'You don't have to go if you don't want to.' I said, 'But I want to go,' and she goes, 'Okay then, I'll see you there.'"

Alongside her mother, Catriona found inspiration in Terry Fox, a Canadian hero whose selfless determination left a lasting impression on her. She admired how his journey was never about personal recognition but about making a difference for others.

“Terry Fox was a mentor and role model for so many because everything he did was not for his own benefit. It was about helping others. What matters is not just what you accomplish, but what you can do to influence and impact other people."

That desire to have a meaningful impact continues to drive Catriona to this day, in the various roles she plays after hanging up her skates.

“I always love when people say to me, ‘Hey, thank you for doing what you did for Canada’. Because when you represent your province or territory or your country on the sporting stage, you represent all citizens. So I realized the impact that I could make through my sport and help inspire people in sport, but also in other avenues in business or life.

“That impact really has sort of driven me through the last 22 years since I've retired from competitive sport. Being involved in media, in sport administration and volunteer work is about helping people to have that impact and be engaged, whether it’s as a volunteer, a coach or a competitor. That can change somebody's life, and how they view and experience the world. It is all about impact.”

Catriona continues to pay that impact forward through the Canada Games, as she takes on the role of Chair with the Canada Games Council. For her, the Games represent more than sport– they are a celebration of the country’s diversity, culture and shared experiences.

“The Canada Games means Canada. I'm a first-generation Canadian and I'm very proud to live in this country and the fact that we have an event where we celebrate our provinces and territories, our uniqueness, we celebrate sport, we celebrate culture, we celebrate community and we do that uniquely. We're the only country in the world who does this and we celebrate it together in winter and summer and we've done it for so long and we've done it so well and the Games continue to be more and more incredible, that just makes me so proud."

Catriona’s achievements may seem extraordinary, yet she sees them as simply part of who she is. Her work is deeply woven into her DNA, and above all, she wants her story to inspire—not just because she is a woman, but because it reflects what dedication and leadership can achieve.

"I’m very proud because I've had some incredible leaders before me and leaders who are male and female. We continue to encourage young women and young girls to stay involved in sports because we know that young girls drop out more than young boys and we continue to see leadership positions opening up and more women getting involved in boards and leading organizations, but we're still not where we need to be.”

“To be in a position where I can show others that yes, you can be a leader. I'm very proud of that and I've had some incredible role models myself, so I hope that in some way I can inspire that next generation of young females to say, yes, I want to be a leader as well.”

She continues to be a driving force for inclusivity in sports, leaving a legacy that extends far beyond competition.