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, born on November 14, 1964, is a famous Canadian rower. She is known for her amazing strength and comeback spirit in the sport. Silken has won many medals, including at the Olympic Games and World Rowing Championships.
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Silken Laumann's Early Life and Career
Silken Laumann was born in Toronto Township, Ontario. This area is now known as Mississauga. She started rowing in 1976 and quickly became a top athlete.
Winning Medals and Going to the Olympics
Silken won several awards early in her career. 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.
At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Silken won a bronze medal. She competed in the double sculls event with her sister, Daniele. In the 1988 Summer Olympics, she finished seventh in the double scull.
Silken graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1989. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. After that, she continued her rowing success. She won a silver medal at the 1990 World Rowing Championships. The next year, she won a gold medal at the World Championships.
The 1992 Olympic Comeback Story
One of the most famous moments in Silken's life 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. This accident caused serious injuries to her leg.
Overcoming a Serious Injury
Silken described her injury as very bad. She even worried if she might lose her leg because she could see the bone. She had five operations and stayed in the hospital for about three weeks.
Despite this, Silken showed incredible determination. She was back on the water training by late June. Her hard work paid off. She won a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics.
Recognized for Her Spirit
After her amazing comeback, Silken was named Canadian of the Year. The Canadian Club gave her this honor. She was also chosen to carry the Canadian Flag at the closing ceremonies of the Olympics. This showed how much her country admired her courage.
Later Career and Retirement
Silken took a year off after her injury to heal completely. She started competing again in 1994. In 1995, she won a silver medal at the World Rowing Championships.
Pan American Games and Retirement
She also won a gold medal with her team in quad sculls at the 1995 Pan American Games. However, she later lost this medal. This happened after a test showed a substance called pseudoephedrine. Silken said she accidentally took it from a cold medicine mix-up.
Silken's last race was at the 1996 Summer Olympics. There, she won a silver medal in single sculls. She officially announced her retirement from rowing three years later.
Awards and Recognition
Silken Laumann has received many honors for her outstanding career.
- In 1998, she was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.
- She received the Thomas Keller Medal in 1999. This award is for excellent international rowing careers.
- In 2004, she was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
Today, Silken lives in Victoria, British Columbia. She works as a public speaker, sharing her inspiring story with others.
See also
In Spanish: Silken Laumann para niños
