Highest honor awarded
The Canadian Press – November 27, 2020 / 8:58 AM | Story: 317592
Photo: The Canadian Press
Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir
Champion ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir and Olympic champion swimmer Mark Tewksbury were among 114 athletes, performers, scientists and community leaders who have been appointed to the Order of Canada.
The office of Governor General Julie Payette announced the new awards Friday morning.
Others in the group include native writer Thomas King, winemaker John Peller, dancer and choreographer Elizabeth Langley, geriatrician Roger Wong, Cree Elder Doreen Spence, sports scientist Dr. Sandra Kirby and ex-politicians Bill Graham and Allan Rock.
Moir and Virtue catapult to national stardom with their gold medal performance at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
They are honored for their athletic excellence and for inspiring a new generation of figure skaters.
Named for the highest rank of companion, Tewksbury won gold in the 100m backstroke at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
The 52-year-old from Calgary came out publicly as gay in 1998 and was an advocate for LGBTQ rights and a prominent member of the Canadian Olympic movement, serving as chief of mission for the 2012 London Olympic team.
He is honored for athletic excellence and sports leadership, and for defending human rights.
Kirby, a rower at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, is honored for her research into athlete harassment and her advocacy of equality, inclusion and safety in sport.
The Order of Canada is one of the highest civilian awards in the country.
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