Winners: Lori-Ann Muenzer, Cycling - Track
Lori-Ann Muenzer warms up in the Olympic Velodrome before her race at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
Date: August 23, 2004
Collection: CP photo/Paul Chiasson
2004 - Feature Story
Never underestimate the value of experience. Edmonton cyclist Lori-Ann Muenzer was confident her considerable experience could take her to the top of the podium at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens even as, at the age of 38, observers dismissed her as too old to meet the challenge of younger rivals. But Muenzer had for years been among the best of women track cyclists. She came to Athens with a resume that included 11 World Cup medals, 13 Canadian titles and a Bronze medal from the World Championships at Melbourne, Australia earlier in the year. After finishing seventh in the 500m time trial in a personal best and Canadian record time, Muenzer struck Gold in the match sprint at Athens. She dispatched 20-year-old world record holder Anna Meares of Australia in the semi-final, and 21-year-old Tamilla Abissova of Russia in the final, to become the first Canadian to win Olympic Gold in cycling.
Career Highlights
- 2004 Bobbie Rosenfeld Award (Canada’s female athlete of the year)
- 2004 Gold medal in the sprint at the Olympic Games in Athens
- 2004 Bronze medal in the sprint at the World Championships
- 2004 Canadian Female Cyclist of the Year
- 2002 Silver medal in Sprint and Bronze medal in the track time trial at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England
- 2000, 2001 Silver medallist at the World Championships
Lori-Ann Muenzer celebrates after winning the Gold medal in the women’s sprint cycling event at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
Date: August 24, 2004
Collection: CP photo/Adrian Wyld
Lori-Ann Muenzer at a live CBC television and radio broadcast.
Date: August 27, 2004
Collection: CP photo/Ian Jackson
