-Athletics Canada
OTTAWA - Earlier this week the Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, announced 91 new appointments to the Order of Canada. Two of the appointees have strong ties to the athletics community; Arnold Boldt of Saskatoon, Sask., and Charmaine Crooks of West Vancouver B.C.
Rob Guy, Athletics Canada Chief Executive Officer, "Athletics Canada is extremely pleased for Charmaine and Arnold. They are such wonderful pillars for our sport, and society in general. It is my pleasure and honour to congratulate them publicly on behalf of the organization."
Appointed "for his achievements in sport and for his contributions as a role model for people with disabilities", Arnold Boldt was a world class para high jumper in the 1970's and 1980's. His World and Paralympic high jump record still stands at 1.96-metres. Boldt's first appearance at the Paralympic Games was in 1976 where he won two gold medals in the high jump and long jump. He went on to win another 5 Paralympic gold medals in athletics. This past summer he was a member of the Canadian Para-Cycling Team at the Paralympic Games in London.
Charmaine Crooks (@charmainecrooks) was appointed to the Order of Canada "for her contributions as a role model of athletic excellence and engagement, serving at the highest levels of international sport." Her athletic career spans five Olympic Games including an Olympic silver medal at the 1984 Games in the 4x400-metres relay. She is known globally for her expertise in sport management, the Olympic Movement, her involvement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and much more. Last summer at the Canadian Track and Field Olympic Trials she was inducted to Athletics Canada's Hall of Fame.
The Order of Canada was established in 1967 to recognize a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation. Over the last 45 years more than 5,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.
For more information www.gg.ca/honours.