Nesbitt reflects on career ahead of receiving Order of Ontario

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Christine Nesbitt isn’t zipping around ovals anymore, but there are plenty of full-circle moments in her life right now.

The long-track speedskating legend sits on the board of the Richmond, B.C., venue where she won the Olympic gold medal in the women’s 1,000-metre event 13 years ago.

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“That’s been a really amazing experience,” the 38-year-old London native and Vancouver city planner said this week. “It’s no longer a speedskating oval, but it’s a giant high-end community and high-performance sports centre in that gorgeous building with a view to the mountains to the north.

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“I won there and now I’m helping plan the next 10 years. Evan Dunfee, the Olympic race walker, sport climber Alannah Yip and the Canadian women’s volleyball team all train there. I’m so lucky to be involved in that.”

On Monday, Nesbitt will be among 26 people inducted to the Order of Ontario in a Toronto ceremony with new Lt.-Gov. Edith Dumont. The eight-time world champ and three-time Canadian female athlete of the year will be joined by fellow Londoners Eric Lindros, a Hockey Hall of Famer, and Dianne Cunningham, the former politician.

“Sometimes when I’m elsewhere in Canada, people will ask, ‘Where is London?’ and I’m like you should know because it punches above its weight,” the Banting grad said.

“I’m so proud of how this city has churned out athletes over the last couple of decades. I really looked up to (multi-sport star) Jessica Zelinka when I was in high school, then moved out to Calgary and saw her train first-hand.

“I knew I could turn to (ice dancers) Tessa (Virtue) and Scott (Moir) almost like peers or colleagues – and look at their resilience and poise over the years. Now, to see Maggie Mac Neil absolutely flying in the pool, (decathlete) Damian Warner and Olympic gold medallists in women’s soccer (Jessie Fleming and Shelina Zadorsky), we’re producing people across a range of sports.

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“When I moved to Calgary at age 18, it was only because I had this (minor) sport system in London. I owe a lot to the city and the province for all the support over the years.”

Now, the major project planner wants to build community through sport wellness and opportunity for all, regardless of age and gender. Her experiences in London are an inspiration.

“It was a phenomenal city to get a wide range of activities and explore, play and have fun,” she said. “I want people to find joy in it as either an elite athlete or just the place you go to de-stress.

“I’m interested in sustainable transportation modes, like walking and biking, and making sure we’re strengthening community amenities like parks,” she added. “I’m still getting into my second career and hope to grow and it would be a dream to do that at a national scale.”

Two years ago, Nesbitt co-founded Collab Legacy Projects, which aims to create Olympic infrastructure with a lasting positive impact on a city, and brings an athlete’s perspective to a number of Canadian sport boards and committees.

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She still loves skating, but doesn’t often get the chance since the nearest long-track oval is in Calgary. She will watch the international competitions, but that’s difficult, too.

“It’s hard when you see some of the people you used to compete against,” the London sports and speedskating Hall of Famer said.

“It’s definitely getting easier (as she gets older) and I don’t have that internal wanting-to-race-somebody. The sport has evolved with the technology, the ice-making, the blades and skates – and I know I can’t directly compare myself anymore anyways.”

But at work, there is a skating party planned for the holiday season. That should be interesting.

“I only have my clap skates,” Nesbitt said with a laugh. “I’ll be bringing out those and I like to go fast, so we’ll see what happens.”

rpyette@postmedia.com

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