Canadian · Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada · Born 12 August 1979Canadian speed skater who overcame a horrific arm injury to win a record five medals at a single Olympics in 2006, becoming Canada's most decorated Winter Olympian.
Cindy Klassen was born on 12 August 1979 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was a versatile young athlete - playing junior national ice hockey, competing in lacrosse at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, and racing inline speed skating - before missing selection for Canada's 1998 Olympic hockey team and switching to long track speed skating at 18 while attending the University of Manitoba. She made her Olympic debut at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, winning bronze in the 3,000m. Just before the 2003-04 season, Klassen suffered a horrific training accident, colliding with another skater whose blade sliced a 10-centimeter gash into her arm, severing an artery and cutting a dozen tendons. She recovered to win two medals at the 2004 World Single Distance Championships within months, then had a dominant 2005 season that included four world records and being named the first Canadian in 27 years to win the World Allround title. At the 2006 Turin Olympics, Klassen delivered one of the greatest individual performances in Winter Olympics history, medaling in all five of her events: silver in the 1,000m and team pursuit, gold in her signature 1,500m, and bronze in both the 3,000m and 5,000m. Her five medals made her the first Canadian, and the first female speed skater ever, to win five medals at a single Olympics, tying Eric Heiden's all-time speed skating record and earning her the title 'Woman of the Games' from IOC President Jacques Rogge. Combined with her 2002 bronze, her six career Olympic medals made her Canada's most decorated Winter Olympian. After struggling through knee surgeries, she competed at a third Olympics in Vancouver 2010 without a medal before retiring in 2015, later working with the Calgary Police Service.
Winning five medals at the 2006 Turin Olympics, becoming Canada's most decorated Winter Olympian just two years after a severe arm injury nearly ended her career
How They Played
Versatile all-round distance specialist known for exceptional endurance and mental toughness across every event from the 1,000m to the 5,000m
Lasting Impact
Regarded as one of Canada's greatest Winter Olympians, whose recovery from a career-threatening injury to five-medal Olympic glory remains one of the defining comeback stories in Canadian sports history
Career Honours
- 1x Olympic Gold Medalist, 6 total Olympic medals
- First Canadian and first female speed skater to win 5 medals at a single Olympics (2006)
- Canada's most decorated Winter Olympian
- 2003 & 2006 World Allround Champion
Canadian Athletes