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Vancouver lawyer, rower to enter Canadian Sports Hall of Fame

The Olympian has done a lot for sports in the city and nation.
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Tricia Smith, UBC alumna, four-time Olympian and president of the Canadian Olympic Committee. File photo.

With a long history of involvement with Canada's Olympics efforts, Tricia Smith has been named to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Vancouver-born, Smith started rowing at age 17, before heading to UBC. 

The Olympian won a silver medal in rowing at the 1984 games in Los Angeles and competed in international races in the 1970s and 80s.

However, she's going into the hall as a builder, thanks to her efforts after her years of competition.

"She has worked tirelessly to promote the values of sport and to advance opportunities for women and all athletes in Canada and around the world," states a media release. "Since 2015, Smith has been the President of the Canadian Olympic Committee and a year later was elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee."

Smith was also the first Canadian elected to the International Rowing Federation and the first Canadian elected to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport. She sits on multiple international sports committees.

Locally, she was involved with the 2010 Vancouver Olympics bid and is involved in the current 2030 bid.

"Having done so much to change the game for athletes in Canada and around the world, Tricia Smith has been honoured with the Carol Anne Letheren International Sports Leadership Award in 2006, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Rowing Aviron Canada in 2017, Honorary Degrees from the University of BC and the University of Alberta, membership in the Order of Canada in 2010 and the Order of BC in 2011," notes the hall of fame.

Smith is entering the hall of fame with a few other famous names. The Class of 2022 includes hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser, soccer star Dwayne de Rosario, John Taveres (the lacrosse player, not his nephew, the Maple Leafs' captain) and kayaker Adam van Koeverden (who isn't from Vancouver). The Preston Rivulettes, arguably the most successful team ever in Canadian sports, were also added as trailblazers.