Clara Hughes - what an amazing race!

To have the guts, the determination and the endurance to cover the last one and a half laps a full minute faster than Claudia Pechstein and to capture the gold medal is amazing.

Indeed it is amazing that we have from Manitoba the talents of Clara Hughes, Cindy Klassen and Jennifer Botterill, each of whom came home with a gold medal.

Clara you have surprised us all, not only by winning the gold medal, but also by showing extraordinary generosity in contributing $10,000 to give children in third world countries the opportunity to play sports. You have a heart of gold.

Congratulations are due as well to all Manitoba and Canadian athletes who competed in the Olympics. Just being there shows you have special talents and you deserve recognition.