June-Marie Provost, a former world champion race-walker, estimates that she’s walked nearly 247,000 kilometres during her 83 years on earth. Remarkably,
she didn’t take up the sport of race-walking until she was 57 – after she had raised five children.
But the late start didn’t hold her back in the slightest. Provost became one of Canada’s elite race-walkers, representing the country at 11 World Championships while competing in every continent except for Antarctica. Along the way, she racked up 27 medals (18 gold, 7 silver and 2 bronze).
On Nov. 3, 2016, the 83-year-old will rightly earn a spot in London’s Sports Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony in the Carousel Room at the Western Fair District. She’ll be joined by fellow 2016 inductees Kylee Reade-White (lacrosse), Jeff Glass (Olympic hurler) and the late Harvey Bailie (baseball).
In 25 years of racing, Provost competed at every distance – from 1,500 metres to 20 kilometres. There was a time when she held 20 provincial Masters records simultaneously, which later earned her a place in the Ontario Masters Association Hall of Fame in 2011.
Despite breaking her hip 11 years ago, she healed up and returned to the sport, setting a record in the 80-85 age category. She’s been slowed recently after breaking her other hip and dealing with spinal stenosis, but Provost may very well be the gold standard for proof that you’re never too old to do anything. Truly an inspiration, she’ll now be recognized for her impressive exploits with a place in London’s Sports Hall of Fame.
2016 Induction Ceremony
Thursday Nov. 3, 2016
Carousel Room, Western Fair District
Individual ticket: $50.00 • Table of 8: $400.00
For sponsorship information, contact: Bill Smith
bill-lsc@westernfairdistrict.com or 519 438 7203 ext. 370
Story by SportsXpress team, contributions by Bruce Huff and Bill Smith
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