Courage in Motion
Four months after competing in her very first race, Silken Laumann tried out for the National Rowing Team, 1982, and won a spot. The second child of Hans and Sigitta Laumann, who immigrated to Canada from Germany, 1960, Silken epitomizes the meaning of hero and competitor, courage and dedication, inspiration and passion. Born, Mississauga, Ontario, 1964, Silken, Bronze Medalist with sister Danielle, Double Sculls, Los Angeles Summer Olympics, 1984 Bronze medalist, Single Sculls, Barcelona Summer Games, 1992 (10 weeks after a serious leg injury in a regatta accident) and a Silver medalist, Single Sculls, Atlanta Summer Olympics, 1996, was voted Canada’s Athlete of the Year, 1991, after winning the World Cup Title. Recipient of many awards, including the Harry Jerome Comeback Award and the Wilma Rudolph Courage Award, 1997, Silken Laumann, who retired from competition, 1999, was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, 1998. [Photo, courtesy The Toronto Star]