SILKEN LAUMANN

Four-time Olympian Silken Laumann is one of Canada’s most inspirational leaders, a bestselling author and a highly recognizable and beloved Canadian athlete. Whether in the world of sport, where she achieved the honour of being the fastest female rower in the world, her work as a child advocate and founder of Silken’s Active Kids Movement, or as a speaker, writer, and champion of physical activity - Silken Laumann has made her life work reaching her own potential and helping others reach theirs.

As the reigning world champion rower, Silken fought back from a devastating training accident to win a bronze medal in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Silken was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of fame in 1998, having won 3 Olympic medals and four World Championships. She is also the 2-time winner of the Canadian Female Athlete of the Year award and recipient of the Lou Marsh award in 1991 as Canada’s top athlete.

Silken is a member of the International Board of Directors for Right to Play, an international development agency dedicated to reintroducing play into the lives of children in disadvantaged areas around the world. Silken has joined GoodLife Kids Foundation as their GoodLife Kids Champion; a private Canadian foundation that envisions a Canada where all kids have the opportunity to benefit from an active life. Through her work with children, Silken was awarded with the 2003 National Child Day Award. In 2006 Silken published the best seller, Child’s Play, an inspirational and simple guide to reconnecting with our kids through play.

Silken lives in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada with her two children, William and Kate and
their dog Balto.