| Format: | "Growing up in Winnipeg, Clara liked sports, but she wasn't a top athlete. Getting outside to play was a good escape from some of the turmoil and sadness at home. But as she got older, she picked other ways -- ways that were not good for her, until the fateful day she watched speed skater GaeĢtan Boucher compete at the 1988 Winter Games. Clara decided she would do that too. It was a life-changing decision. Clara quickly learned to speed skate and began competing. Part of her training included cycling and it turned out she was great at that too. She switched to cycling and worked very hard - maybe too hard. Even though she won multiple Olympic medals in cycling, but winning didn't make her feel good. She felt sadder than ever. Clara realized that all the medals in the world would not make her okay. She had to work as hard on her mental health as she did on her training. Maybe even harder. Clara decided it would be good for her to take a break from cycling. She returned speed skating and won medals in that, too! This time it felt better in the spotlight, which she decided to use to help children - especially girls - around the world have better access to sport. Clara then used her fame to talk about how important mental health was, and that it was normal to not feel okay -- and especially okay to talk about it! She went on to lend her voice in support of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, becoming an Honorary Witness and helping to spread their message. Clara is still the only person in the world to ever win multiple medals at both the Summer Olympics and the Winter Olympics. But perhaps her biggest win is the work she has done to help others."-- Provided by publisher |
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01. English Non Fiction