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Curt has loved cycling since he first rode a bike without training wheels at the age of five; however, cycling was not his first organized competitive sport. In the beginning, his focus was on hockey, and through his teens began a serious run at a hockey career. We was introduced to competitive cycling by his high school football coach (who was also just happened to be the President of the Thunder Bay Cycling Club) as a way of staying in shape, during the off season, for hockey. It was during a tryout for an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team that he came to the realization that he would rather pursue full-time cycling career and just two short years later Curt found himself competing at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and a silver medal around his neck. The Match Sprint, a 750-meter, one-on-one cycling race commonly held on a 250-meter track, eventually became his specialty. In 1983, Curt first competed for Canada internationally at the 1983 Pan American Games where he placed fourth. Curt held the World Record Holder in his event for eleven years, becoming the first man to break the elusive 10 second barrier for 200 meters in a time 9.865 seconds. He won over thirty National Titles and represented Canada at four Olympic Games, bringing home 3 Olympic Medals in the process (two bronze; one silver). Although Curt retired from cycling after the 1996 Olympic Games, he attended the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games as a colour commentator in cycling for CBC Sports. He is heavily involved in numerous charities across Canada with a strong affinity for Special Olympics Canada. Curt has sat on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Cycling Association, the Canadian Olympic Association, and the City of Toronto's Bid for the 2008 Olympic Games, focusing most of his attention towards athlete advocacy. He is a motivational speaker, writer, broadcaster, promoter and mentor, preferring to inspire Canadian youth to chase dreams of their own, rather than to emulate the dreams of others. Curt was inducted into the Canadian Sport Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2006. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 1984 Los Angeles USA 1000 Meter Time Trial SILVER MEDAL COMMONWEALTH GAMES PAN AMERICAN GAMES OTHER INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 OTHER 1995: Set World Record at Bogotá COL 200 meter 9.865 seconds Honours 1985 Canadian Award of Excellence |
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