Heroes & Stars
The spirit of Alberta shines through our people; people who inspire each other to realize possibilities and every-day people who become our heroes and stars.
Cathy Priestner-Allinger
Executive Vice-President of Sport, Paralympic Games and Venue Management
Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC)
Former Calgarian
Olympic medallist Cathy Priestner-Allinger is the former general manager of the Calgary Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary.
The Ontario native started speed skating after her family moved to Winnipeg In 1976, at the age of 19; she became the first Canadian woman to a medal in her sport. At the 1976 Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria, she won a silver medal in the 500 m race.
Priestner-Allinger’s life in sport evolved from athlete to administrator shortly after. In the 1980s, she joined to the 1988 Calgary Winter Games organizing committee as the manager of the Olympic Oval. She a fellow Canadian Olympian Ken Read carried the Olympic torch into McMahon Stadium at the Opening ceremonies of the Calgary Games.
After working at the oval until 1997, Priestner-Allinger joined the organizing committee for the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Games as the managing director of sport and medical services.
Priestner-Allinger was also a television commentator for CBC at the short and long track speed skating events at the Albertville 1992 Winter Games and the Nagano 1998 Winter Games. In addition, she’s been a sports volunteer, a speed skating coach and is the author of the “Own the Podium” report, which resulted in $110 million of resources and technology for Canadian athletes to reach the podium in 2010.
In her role as executive vice-president for Sport, Paralympic Games and Venue Management at the 2010 Vancouver Games, Priestner-Allinger is responsible for sport, venue management, medical services, anti-doping control, Paralympic Games and the actual running of the Olympic Games’ 82 medal events.
