Canada’s Olympic women’s bobsled champion, Kaillie Humphries, has been named this year’s Calgary Stampede Parade Marshal.
Humphries, the 2014 Lou Marsh Award winner for Canada’s top athlete of the year, will be leading the parade when it kicks off on July 3, 2015.
She’s won two consecutive Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014, and was the only woman to pilot a four-man bobsleigh team at the World Championships in 2015.
Leading the parade has always been dream for Humphries, she said on Wednesday.
“Ever since I saw the parade for the very first time, it has always been a wish that one day I would get to be on the horse that started the whole thing off,” she says. “Growing up in this city has made me the person I am today, and being able to share the city’s biggest moment is a dream come true. Most people don’t understand how I could put this in the same realm as winning Olympic Gold, but dreams are dreams and getting to live them out is a blessing.”
Officials with the Stampede say that Humphries is an inspiration to all Calgarians.
“Her strong and confident personality lights up any room, she is a pleasure to be around and she’s an excellent ambassador for our community. This is why we’re so proud to have her as this year’s Parade Marshal,” said Bill Gray, President, Calgary Stampede.
The parade begins at 9 a.m. on July 3.
