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Inductees to Olympic Hall of Fame cherish team-building success

The Canadian men's eights rowing crew won gold at the 2008 Olympics.
The Canadian men's eights rowing crew won gold at the 2008 Olympics.

It was all about the mechanics of forming a team at the announcement Wednesday of this year's class for the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame.

Those who will be inducted in a ceremony June 6 in Calgary are:

Gymnast Kyle Shewfelt, a three-time Olympian and a gold medallist in 2004; Speed skater Cindy Klassen, a three-time Olympian, winner of six medals, including a record-setting five at the 2004 Games; the gold-medal-winning men's eight rowing crew from the 2008 Games; speed skating coach Marcel Lacroix, who has shepherded a number of gold medallists; hockey coach Pat Quinn, who led the Canadian men to a gold medal in 2002; former Calgary mayor and former Alberta premier Ralph Klein, for helping Calgary land the 1988 Winter Games; and journalist Richard Garneau, who covered an incredible 23 Olympics in his career.

Quinn and the rowers said what they remember about their Olympic experience is dynamics of building the team, getting a group to come together as one unit.

The Canadian men's hockey team had finished without a medal at the inaugural Olympics in 1998 and considerably more was expected at the 2002 Games. When Canada opened with a 5-2 loss to Sweden a crisis of confidence on the roster was averted, Quinn said, when some of the older players on the team such as Mario Lemeiux and Joe Sakic took charge.

"It was the leadership of that team that pulled us through. The team became the most important thing and our leadership recognized that."

Without naming names, Quinn said some of the younger players weren't playing the style Quinn wanted them to -- a high tempo with short shifts -- and when he addressed it with the older players, they set the example for everyone else to follow.

Playing in America, Canada beat the United States for the gold medal, breaking open a close game with two goals in the third period to win 5-2.

The men's rowers, expected to be dominant at the 2008 Games after winning a world championship the year before, could have lost focus after lightning cancelled one of their heats. Brian Price, the coxswain, used the row back to base to maintain the crew's concentration, having them row harder pieces rather than cruising back casually.

"He shifted us into our race plan," said Kyle Hamilton. "That really got us up for the next day and told the young guys in the crew that we were ready to go."

It also had what Hamilton called "a calming effect," which came in handy during the rescheduled heat. The Canadian men lost their bow ball, a protective piece covering the stem of the boat, when it was chopped off by the starting gate. Then, in the race itself, Canada had to avoid a collision with the Australian crew, who had veered toward the Canadians, askew because of a jammed rudder.

Canada won the heat by several boat lengths. More important, it conquered any trepidation brought on by the equipment mishap and the Australian incident.

"We had the composure to come together as a team," said Hamilton.

Canada subsequently won the final over Britain and the United States, becoming the first world champion to follow that title with an Olympic gold medal in 35 years.