Team Canada speed skater Connor Howe preparing for World Cup races in Calgary
Canadian speed skater Connor Howe was on the ice early on Tuesday to train for this weekend's World Cup race at the Olympic Oval in Calgary.
However, if wasn't the only thing the 22-year-old Canmore-born athlete had on his mind.
"I had to run out kind of quick for an exam after skating," he said with a laugh.
In addition to being a long track speed skater for Team Canada, Howe is also a student at the University of Calgary with a major in math and a minor in urban studies.
He says finding time for both the classroom and the ice isn't always easy.
"It can be tough sometimes, balancing exams and school work."
"I'm missing a bit of classes, but when the stuff is online it helps for sure – and I'm just doing two courses per semester, which is pretty manageable."
Lately, Howe has been doing well in his studies and also winning on the ice.
A few weeks back, Howe captured the first World Cup victory of his career, taking gold in the men's 1,500 metres in Heerenveen, Netherlands.
"It felt great," he said.
"I wasn't expecting it. It was something I wasn't really sure I could do, but it all came together and it was an incredible feeling."
Howe skated to the fifth-fastest time ever recorded at the Thialf arena to win the gold by a margin of 0.26 seconds, beating reigning Olympic champion Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands.
"It was a great confidence booster, knowing I can be right up there," he said.
Howe, who says he grew up idolizing Canadian Denny Morrison, has already represented Canada at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
"I want to go four more years," he said. "Getting the podium would be amazing."
The Olympic Oval hosts back-to-back World Cups in Calgary from Dec. 9-11 and Dec. 16-18.
For more information you can visit the University of Calgary's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
'$6.66 per day': Advocacy groups disheartened by funding in budget for disability benefit
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
MPs summon ArriveCan contractor to the House to be admonished in rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.