Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium today announced it has secured an exclusive deal with two-time Olympic Games gold medallist Catriona Le May Doan through the London 2012 Olympic Summer Games. A well-respected athlete, broadcaster and community leader, Le May Doan will play a significant role in the Consortium’s coverage of Vancouver 2010 and London 2012. At Vancouver 2010, Le May Doan will join Brian Williams and Lloyd Robertson in the broadcast booth as Co-Host of the Opening Ceremony. As previously announced, Le May Doan will also serve as Analyst for Long Track Speed Skating alongside Rod Smith.
The five-time World Champion will also be actively involved in the Consortium’s continuing efforts to build awareness for the Olympic Games and amateur sports over the next two years, making regular appearances and providing expertise in both English and French on the Consortium’s suite of television, digital, radio and print media assets. The exclusivity agreement begins in April following the ISU World Allround Speed Skating Championships.
“Catriona is one of Canada’s most decorated athletes. She is well respected throughout the country, and her dedication to the Olympic Games and amateur sports is to be admired,” said Rick Chisholm, Executive Vice President, Broadcasting, Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium. “As an ambassador for the Olympic Games movement, Catriona is an eloquent speaker and motivator, always encouraging individuals to challenge themselves in order to reach their full potential. Her unwavering commitment to the sports industry is commendable and we are thrilled to have her as part of the Consortium broadcast team.”
“I’m very excited to have this great opportunity to work both the Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic Games and to be able to continue my passion for Olympic sport,” said Le May Doan. “I look forward to the new role and to be part of the Consortium broadcast team.”
Le May Doan won consecutive gold medals in the 500m event in long track speed skating at Nagano 1998 and Salt Lake City 2002, making her the only Canadian to ever repeat as a gold medallist in two successive Olympic Games. A five-time world champion, Le May Doan held the world record in the 500m for 10 years and still currently holds the Olympic Games record in that event.
A native of Saskatoon and now living in Calgary, Le May Doan dominated in the long track speed skating world throughout her career, breaking 13 world records. For her accomplishments, she received the 2002 Lou Marsh Award as Canadian Athlete of the Year, was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. Le May Doan is also a three-time recipient (1998, 2001, 2002) of the Canadian Female Athlete of the Year award. Currently the associate director of the Calgary Olympic Oval, Le May Doan is involved in a number of charity and community organizations, including Right to Play. Vancouver 2010 marks Le May Doan’s fourth Olympic Games as a broadcaster.
