Clara Hughes hails from Winnipeg in Manitoba and masters both cycling as well as speed skating. She made ripples across Canada when she won two bronze medals in the 1996 Olympic games in the United States. But that was only the beginning, as the event led to a trail of awards coming into Canada.

Her latest wins were two gold medals for cycling at the Pan American Championship. As far as her speed skating is concerned, Hughes won gold at the 2004 World Single Distance Championship as well as the 2006 Olympics. That is, of course, apart from all her silvers and bronzes.