Silken Laumann facts for kids
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| Born | November 14, 1964 Toronto Township, Ontario, Canada |
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| Alma mater | University of Western Ontario | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse(s) | David Patchell-Evans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Silken Suzette Laumann is a famous Canadian rower. She was born on November 14, 1964, in Toronto Township, Ontario, which is now part of Mississauga. Silken is known for her amazing strength and determination in the sport of rowing, winning many medals throughout her career.
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Silken's Early Life and Rowing Career
Silken Laumann started her rowing journey in 1976. She quickly became a top athlete, winning many awards. She earned a gold medal in quadruple sculls at the U.S. Championships. She also won two gold medals in single sculls at the Pan American Games.
Olympic and World Championship Success
Silken achieved her first Olympic medal in 1984 at the Los Angeles Olympics. She won a bronze medal in the double sculls event with her sister, Daniele. At the 1988 Olympics, she finished seventh in the double scull.
Silken graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1989. After that, she continued her success in rowing. She won a silver medal in single sculls at the 1990 World Rowing Championships. The very next year, she won the gold medal at the World Championships.
Overcoming Challenges: The 1992 Olympics
One of the most famous moments in Silken's career happened before the 1992 Summer Olympics. She was expected to win a gold medal. However, on May 15, 1992, her boat crashed with another boat during training. This caused a very serious injury to her leg.
A Remarkable Comeback
Despite her severe injury, which required five operations and three weeks in the hospital, Silken showed incredible courage. She was back training on the water by late June. Her hard work paid off! She won a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics. Because of her amazing comeback, she was named Canadian of the Year. She also carried the Canadian Flag in the closing ceremonies of the Olympics.
Later Career and Retirement
After the 1992 Olympics, Silken took a year off to let her leg heal completely. She returned to competing in 1994. In 1995, she won a silver medal at the World Rowing Championships. She also won a gold medal at the 1995 Pan American Games as part of a quad sculls team. However, she later lost this medal due to a mix-up with cold medicine.
Final Race and Legacy
Silken's last competitive race was at the 1996 Summer Olympics. There, she won another silver medal in single sculls. She officially announced her retirement from rowing three years later.
Silken Laumann's achievements have been recognized with many honors. She was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. In 1999, she received the Thomas Keller Medal for her outstanding international rowing career. She was also inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. Today, Silken lives in Victoria, British Columbia and works as a public speaker, sharing her inspiring story.
See also
In Spanish: Silken Laumann para niños
