April 28, 2018 (Toronto, Ont.) – Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame revealed the six Athletes, and two sport “Builders” who will make up the Class of 2018. Induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is considered the country’s highest sporting honour and reinforces the incredibly successful athletic careers of the nominees.

This class features Canada’s greatest Indigenous, National, Olympic and Paralympic sport heroes who will inspire Canadians in sport and life. Each of the inductees selected to join the Class of 2018 has fostered inspiration both on and off the field of play, using sport as a platform to build a better country for their fellow athletes and all Canadians.

“Today we celebrate those who have inspired Canadians of all ages through sport and contributed to our world-class sports system in exceptional ways. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I offer my most heartfelt congratulations to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication. You have all made an outstanding impact on our sport communities, encouraged young athletes, and committed to helping build a stronger and more active Canada.” —The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

“We are pleased to announce the Class of 2018 – This year’s Class has broken down barriers, blazed new trails, and served as proud international ambassadors for Canadian values. This group of people is a great reflection of Canada’s rich sporting history,” said Janice Smith, Interim President and CEO, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

The distinguished Class of 2018 inductees includes:

• Jeff Adams – Six-time World Champion wheelchair racer, he captured thirteen Paralympic medals and is an advocate promoting equal treatment for people with disabilities.
• Damon Allen – Four-time Grey Cup champion and considered one of the most distinguished quarterbacks in the Canadian Football League.
• Mary Baker – The first Canadian to sign with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League as a catcher and the first female sport broadcaster in Canada.
• Chandra Crawford – Olympic Gold Medallist in Cross Country Skiing and dedicated to empowering girls across North America to stick with sports and lead healthy, active lifestyles.
• Alexandre Despatie – First athlete ever crowned FINA world champion in all three categories of diving and two-time Olympic Silver Medallist.
• Dave Keon – Four-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the third-highest all-time points leader in franchise history.
• Dr. Sandra Kirby – A former Olympic rower and an accomplished educator, sport administrator, coach and activist fighting sexual harassment and abuse and violence against children in sport.
• Wilton Littlechild – A pioneering role model, organizer and advocate for Indigenous sport in Canada that spans over five decades.

The Class of 2018 will be officially inducted during the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame 2018 Induction Celebrations on Thursday, October 18, 2018, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The Honourary Co-Chairs for the event include Brian Cooper and Bruce Croxon. Please visit sportshall.ca for more information.

Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is a national charitable organization established in 1955. Each year, a Class of the country’s most influential and inspiring Athletes and sport Builders are inducted. They are true Canadian sports heroes with achievements and life lessons that can inspire all Canadians to be the best they can be in all aspects of life.

ABOUT CANADA’S SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame is an international award-winning facility with over 40,000 square feet of inspiring experiences. Located at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park, site of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame features 12 galleries, dozens of hands-on interactive experiences and a collection of 100,000 artefacts. Our mission is to share the stories of the achievements of our inducted Honoured Members so that we can inspire all Canadians to be the best they can be in all aspects of life. Please visit www.sportshall.ca to learn more about our education programs, facility rentals and upcoming events. Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame website here