CALGARY—One of Canada’s hardest working and most respected Olympic luge athletes, Makena Hodgson, will take a key position on Luge Canada’s Board of Directors to help shape a promising future while bringing the athlete’s voice to the organization’s leadership group.
“I’m really excited to join the Luge Canada Board. I think it’s really important to have former athletes on the Board to provide additional perspective into what athletes need, while also having ideas regarding the more formal role required by a Board member,” said Hodgson.
Compassionate, selfless, respectful and willing to challenge obstacles while exuding a passion for sport, fair play and a commitment to excellence, Hodgson is driven to bring credibility to her sport in Canada while working with the leadership group that includes highly-accomplished Olympians – Alex Gough and Kim McCrae.
Gough has been President of Luge Canada since 2021, the same year her Olympic teammate, McRae, took on a dual role as Vice-President of Sport and Athlete Director. McRae will continue to chair the Athletes Committee while focusing solely on her Vice-President of Sport responsibilities.
“I really excited to work with Alex and Kim to help bridge the gap between the athletes and the Board members while also building on what Kim had already done in this position as Athlete Director,” added Hodgson. “I hope that my experience both in and outside of luge can help me serve a significant and important position in the development of the sport and the organization.”
Tremendously driven with an uncanny work ethic, Hodgson competed in her lone Olympic Winter Games at Beijing 2022. Since retiring following those Games, Hodgson has enrolled at Mount Royal University and has helped coach young athletes making their first marks in the sport.
“Makena is a highly motivated professional who knows what the current generation of athletes need to enjoy the pursuit of their performance goals,” said Alex Gough. “Makena’s addition to our Board strengthens the alumni who are committed to giving back to the program that will help us ensure the sport continues to grow and continue to deliver results at all levels well into the future.”
Hodgson was officially welcomed onto the Board during Luge Canada’s Annual General Meeting this month, which was held in Whistler, B.C. for the first time in 10 years.
Another Olympic luge athlete from the 1988 Games, Chris Wightman (Ontario), returns for another two-year term as a Board Member at Large, along with former luge athlete, Kevin Lundy (Ontario). Ron Stitt (Alberta) was re-elected for a two-year term as Treasurer. Dustin Miller (Alberta), who is a former speed skating coach now working at the Olympic Oval was also elected for a first term as a Director at Large.
They will join Shannon Susko (British Columbia) – Secretary; and three other Directors at Large: Peter Major (Alberta); Brian Onushko (British Columbia); and Max Dawson (Alberta).
The Canadian Luge Association is a not-for-profit organization responsible for governing the sport of luge across the country. With the financial backing of from the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee and Own the Podium, the Canadian Luge Association safely recruits and develops the nation’s current and future high-performance luge athletes with the goal of regularly climbing onto the international podium. For more information on the Canadian Luge Association, please visit us at www.luge.ca on the Internet.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan
Media and Public Relations
Canadian Luge Association
T: 403-620-8731