Clara Hughes (born September 27, 1972) is a Canadian cyclist and speed skater who has won multiple Olympic medals in both sports.

[5] Hughes is one of only six people to have podium finishes in the Winter and Summer versions of the Games, and is the only person ever to have won multiple medals in both.

She is involved with Right To Play, which is an athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that uses sports to encourage the development of youth in disadvantaged areas.

She would eventually return to the sport of speed skating at the age of 28, after achieving success in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

With her experience and endurance earned through cycling, Hughes went on to a successful career competing in the 3,000 m and 5,000 m. This would eventually lead her to medal in these long-distance events at the Winter Olympics.

Hughes served as a commentator for cycling events for the CBC's coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

[15] At the 2011 Pan American Championships, Hughes won the individual time trial and road race, both by a big margin.

[18] In June 2012, she was selected to become part of Canada's 2012 London Olympics team, as one of four in cycling, with two other women and a man.

[21] In 2006, although she had not been asked, she announced she would not carry the Canadian flag during the opening ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

Hughes was also a world record holder on 10,000 m track with 14:19.73 on March 13, 2007, on the Olympic Oval in Calgary, which was beaten by Martina Sáblíková one year later.

[23] During the games she won a bronze medal in the 5,000 metres which was also the final Olympic speed skating race of her career.

"Hughes battled deep depression, which threatened to derail her life, after winning two bronze medals in cycling at the 1996 Olympics.

"[26] Since 2013, Hughes has initiated annual bike rides across Canada in order to raise awareness about mental health.

[38] The objective of the list is to focus on women who are leaders and role models making a difference on the Canadian or international scene.

On April 27, 2013, the steep hill on Sydenham Road in Dundas, Ontario on which she trained for seven years was officially renamed 'Clara's Climb'.