Annual Review - Olympic Oval - University of Calgary

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History A history of champions . . . In December 1987, the world’s best speed skaters stepped onto the Olympic Oval ice for the very first time. It was the first competition in the only covered, indoor oval in North America. After getting a feel for the Calgary ice, most of the skaters competing in that World Cup, returned a few months later for the main event, the XV Winter Olympics. Here on our ice, they helped make the 1988 Calgary Games the most successful winter Olympics ever and established the new building as home to the world’s fastest ice, setting the most world records ever in a single competition. This proud tradition of fast ice was launched thanks to the Olympic Oval’s ice makers, combined with Calgary’s altitude, barometric pressure and unique Chinook weather conditions. All factors have worked together for almost 20 years to create the fastest ice conditions for the world’s best speed skaters, allowing them to skate 125 world records and set more than 40,000 personal best times since 1988. This remarkable institution of fast ice and world-class competitions has been partnered with an amazing tradition of elite, Olympic-medal-winning athlete training programs. When the building was completed in 1987 the Olympic Oval’s High Performance Sport Program in long track speed skating was established followed by short track in 1992, cycling in 1995 and women’s hockey in 1996. These programs have yielded over 50 Olympians with 33 of these athletes winning Olympic medals. Thanks to legacy funds from the 1988 Games and the Calgary Olympic Development Association (CODA), these programs have grown and established the Olympic Oval as a world class training centre, attracting coaches and athletes from across the country and around the world. The Olympic Oval has also been part of the University of Calgary and the larger city community since it was built in 1987. For the last 19 years the Olympic Oval has been hosting skating parties and community events and inviting the public to more than 50 such events this year, including the FedEx Kinko’s Family Christmas skating party and the Papa John’s Family Fun Day. Over the ice-out period the Olympic Oval is home to the Cassie Campbell Street Hockey Festival, Calgary’s Child Fun Fair and other events. The 1988 Winter Olympics opened on Feb. 13, 1988. Photo from Canadian Press. As well, University of Calgary Dino athletes have been training at the Olympic Oval since the building opened, using our high performance weight room, 450 metre two-lane running track, 110 m, eight-lane sprint track, long jump pit and pole vault box. As well, all university students have enjoyed free access to public skating and running. The Olympic Oval’s mission is to work with our partners to help Canadian athletes reach the Olympic podium. Through the Olympic Oval’s history, we’ve seen 33 athletes return to our building with Olympic medals, we have contributed to the health and well being of city residents, University of Calgary students and varsity athletes and to the amazing successes of Canada’s best athletes. The Olympic Oval is very proud of its history of champions. 7 World Records were set at 1988 Winter Olympics: Gaetan Boucher: One of Canada’s most decorated Winter Olympians with four Olympic medals, skated his final race at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Although he finished 9th in the 1,500 metres, the crowd gave him a standing ovation. Photo Canadian Press Uwe-Jens Mey, GDR – Men’s 500 metres in 36.35 Andre Hoffmann, GDR – Men’s 1,500 metres in 1.52.06 Tomas Gustafson, SWE – Men’s 10,000 metres in 13.48.20 Bonnie Blair, USA – Ladies 500 metres in 39.10 Christa Rothenburger, GDR – Ladies 1,000 metres in 1.17.65 Yvonne van Gennip, NED – Ladies 3,000 metres in 4.11.94 Yvonne van Gennip, NED – Ladies 5,000 metres in 7.14.13 4
Events The Olympic Oval hosted more than 50 events over the 2005-2006 season for the Calgary community. We did this with the help of more than 200 volunteers and Olympic Oval staff and in collaboration with many partner organizations and sponsors. Public Events Skating Parties FedEx Kinko’s Christmas Skating Party, December 22, 2005 More than 2,500 Calgarians came out to skate on the Olympic Oval ice with Ollie, the Olympic Oval mascot, and Santa. Families donated over 1,500 pounds of food to the Calgary Food Bank and enjoyed some holiday cheer. Papa John’s Family Fun Day Monday, February 22, 2006 Over 4,500 people came out to watch Canada’s women’s hockey team win gold at the 2006 Olympics on our bigscreen TVs, have a pizza lunch, enjoy skating on our fast ice and help raise money for the Calgary Dream Centre, the Olympic Oval’s short track and cycling programs and donate more than 3,500 pounds of food to the Calgary Food Bank. Calgary Oval X-Treme Hockey Games * The Olympic Oval hosted 7 home games and welcomed 2,500 spectators to cheer on the Calgary Oval X-Treme. * Team Sweden, the 2006 Olympic silver medalists, faced-off against the Oval X-Treme in December 2005 in an exhibition game. Girls Hockey Calgary supported the event with more than 250 fans coming out to watch. * The fourth annual Champions’ Cup took place at Max Bell Arena with the Oval X-Treme taking on The Calgary Flames Alumni in front of 1,200 fans. More than $10,000 was raised in support of the Goal On Sight charity and the Olympic Oval High Performance Female Hockey Program. ISU Speed Skating Events November 12 & 13, 2005 the Olympic Oval hosted the Essent ISU World Cup. The building was full of spectators, cheering on the world’s best speed skaters as they started the pre-Olympic season. March 18 & 19, 2006 the Olympic Oval sold out the ISU World Allround Speed Skating Championships. The packed crowd was rewarded for their support as they saw Canada’s most decorated Olympian, Cindy Klassen, set the world record in the 3,000 metres and win the World Allround title. Free Speed Skating Competitions The Olympic Oval opened its doors to all spectators to watch 12 speed skating competitions, three short track and nine long track events. During the last event of the season, the ING Olympic Oval Finale, presented by Conematic Heating Systems, the stands were full of speed skating fans as they watched Cindy Klassen set another two world records before finishing her most impressive season ever. Ice Out Events * SML Pool Tournament * Calgary’s Child Fun Fair * Cassie Campbell Street Hockey Festival * Driven to Perform Car Show * Alberta Volleyball Associations’ Canadian Open Midget Volleyball Tournament Public Skating The Olympic Oval offered 368 public skating sessions. Monday evening ‘Share in the Community Spirit’ skating sessions generated 4,304 pounds of food for the Calgary Food Bank. Public Running The Olympic Oval offered 438 public running sessions. Olympic Oval Summer Camps The Olympic Oval offered five, week long skating camps in July and August 2005. Summer Speed Camp: 260 participants from ages 5 to 65 years old Absolute Speed Camp: 50 participants from ages 8 to 18 years old Female Hockey School: 90 participants from ages 8 to 18 years old Tryout Conditioning Camp: 30 participants from ages 8 to 18 years old Top Blade Power Skating Camp: 60 participants from ages 8 to 18 years old More than 4,500 Calgarians came out the Olympic Oval on Monday, Feb. 22 to celebrate Family Day at the Papa John’s Family Fun Day. 5
Page 1 and 2: Annual 2005/2006 Review
Page 3 and 4: Message from the Director It’s be
Page 5: Maintaining the Olympic Oval ice, a
Page 9 and 10: Coaches Tanya Dubnicoff - Head Coac
Page 11 and 12: Results 2005 - 2006 WWHL Season * P
Page 13 and 14: Results Four Olympic Oval athletes
Page 15 and 16: World Cup Successes This was Jeremy
Page 17 and 18: High Performance Athletes Club Race
Page 19 and 20: National Team Skin Suit Design Drs.
Page 21 and 22: Staff Executive Management Team Mar
Page 23 and 24: Printing Courtesy:

Annual Review - Olympic Oval - University of Calgary

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