Diana Matheson, Lennox Lewis and Indigenous pioneers Sharon & Shirley Firth hit Canada Games Hall of Honour in St. John’s, shaping Olympic pathways.
Honourees Unite Sport Generations
In a ceremonious welcome on August 8, 2025, at St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Canada Games Hall of Honour welcomed six distinguished figures — including Olympians Diana Matheson, Lennox Lewis, and indigenous trailblazers Sharon and Shirley Firth — as well as builder Ajay Patel and distinguished alumna Jennifer Bishop. The event spotlights their shared journey from Canada Games athletes to leaders on the world stage.
Early Steps to Olympic Glory
Diana Matheson’s Canada Games debut for Team Ontario in 2001 proved a launchpad. Within two years, she joined the senior national team and began a career that would yield Olympic bronze and national acclaim in women’s soccer.
Cross-Country Icons Break Barriers
Twin sisters Sharon and Shirley Firth, Canada Games competitors in the early 1970s, went on to become Canada’s first Indigenous women to represent the nation in Olympic cross-country skiing — competing in four consecutive Winter Games and forging a path for future generations.
From Amateur Rings to Olympic Gold
Lennox Lewis captured gold as a super-heavyweight boxer at the 1988 Olympics, but his ascent began two years earlier with a Canada Games gold for Ontario. He credits the experience with instilling the discipline and focus that shaped his career.
Recognition of Leadership and Service
Ajay Patel, celebrated for his leadership roles across six Canada Games as Mission Staff and Chef de Mission for Team British Columbia, and Jennifer Bishop, athlete-turned-sport governance leader, received honours for their contributions to the Canada Games community.
The Hall’s Role in National Sport Identity
Established in 2007, the Canada Games Hall of Honour recognises alumni who have not only excelled in competition but also contributed to the growth and spirit of the Canada Games Movement. The 2025 induction reaffirms the Games’ enduring influence on the country’s sporting legacy.
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