Minister for Status of Women Canada Commends Two Women Inducted into Canada's
Sports Hall of Fame

OTTAWA, Nov. 11 /CNW/ - Today the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister for Status of Women and Minister of Public Works and Government Services, congratulated two women on their induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

"I am proud of Clara Hughes and Chantal Petitclerc for their many career accomplishments, and for their hard work, determination and perseverance," said Minister Ambrose. "These women are an inspiration to young girls and women across our country to reach for new heights in accomplishing their goals and realizing their dreams."

Ms. Hughes, a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is a five-time Olympian and six-time medalist.  She is the only person to have won multiple medals in both the summer and winter Olympic Games.  At the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ms. Hughes took home two bronze medals in cycling events.  During the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Winter Games, she collected one gold medal, one silver medal and two bronze medals in long track speed skating events.  In 2007, she was made an officer of the Order of Canada, and has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Manitoba.

Ms. Petitclerc was born in Saint-Marc-des-Carrières, Quebec.  At the young age of 13, be lost the use of her legs as the result of an accident.  She took up wheelchair racing when she was 18, and hasn't looked back since.  She has accumulated an impressive 21 Paralympic medals over 5 Paralympic games.  She has also set multiple world and Paralympic records.   In 2008, Ms. Petitclerc received a host of awards, including Canadian Female Athlete of the Year from Canadian Sport Awards and the Lou Marsh Trophy for Canadian Athlete of the Year, among others.

Minister Ambrose continued: "It is an honour for me to offer my sincere congratulations to these two highly accomplished women athletes on their induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.  I wish them much success in their future, wherever their paths of achievement may take them."

For more information on Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, please visit http://www.sportshall.ca/.

For further information:

Rebecca Thompson
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women
819-997-5421