An Olympic welcome inspires travellers at YYC

CALGARY – As the world turns its attention to the XXV Winter Olympic Games in Cortina, travellers arriving at YYC Calgary International Airport will now find stories of Canadian athletes through the years. Today, Calgary Airports and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (CSHoF) unveiled, “70 Years of the Order of Sport,” a new cultural exhibit celebrating the Athletes, Builders, and Trailblazers who have shaped Canada’s sporting legacy, including runner and humanitarian Terry Fox, speed skater Cindy Klassen, equestrian Ian Millar, Olympic basketball star Steve Nash, skiers Sharon Anne and Shirley Anne Firth, and figure skaters Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.

 

Marking the 70th anniversary of the country’s highest sporting honour, the Order of Sport, the exhibit captures the evolution of Canadian athletic excellence through bilingual storytelling, digital interactives and curated artefacts.

 

“We are thrilled to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Order of Sport with this fantastic partnership at YYC Calgary International Airport,” says Cheryl Bernard, 2010 Olympic Silver medallist, and President and CEO, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame. “This dynamic exhibit brings the rich tapestry of Canada's sport history to life, giving travellers and Calgarians alike the chance to explore the remarkable journeys of athletes and builders who have inspired our country. Building on our work as a digital museum, this installation creates a tangible space where visitors can connect with our sporting heritage, reflect on how sport unites us as Canadians, and experience these powerful stories firsthand.”

 

From Cindy Klassen’s Olympic speed skates to the race bib worn by Sharon Anne Firth at the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Games, the exhibit features personal artefacts and interactive digital displays that spotlight the athletes and builders whose impact extends far beyond the podium. 

 

“Every day, we see young athletes travelling to tournaments, fans flying to cheer on their teams and families reuniting after big wins,” says Chris Dinsdale, President and CEO, Calgary Airports. “This exhibit allows our guests to experience Canada’s sport history in the same place many start and end their own journeys, and it reminds us that the people walking through our terminal today may be the champions we celebrate tomorrow .”

 

The exhibit will be available at YYC for the next three years, located on the arrivals level of the domestic terminal building between doors four and five. 

 

For more information on the exhibits presented by Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, visit www.sportshall.ca/exhibits

 

About Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (CSHoF) is a registered charitable organization and has been a vital cultural institution in Canada since 1955. As Canada's only national museum of sport, and home to Canada’s highest sporting honour, the Order of Sport, the organization’s mandate is to empower the pivotal role sport plays in shaping Canada’s future. Through three guiding pillars—curation, education, and recognition—CSHoF honours the transformative power of sport and the inspiring role models who have shaped our nation’s story, reminding Canadians why sport matters. For more information on Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, visit sportshall.ca or follow Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame on Facebook and Instagram (@cansportshall) or X (@sportshall).
 
About Calgary Airports
Calgary Airports (formally, The Calgary Airport Authority) is a non-share capital corporation incorporated under the Regional Airports Authorities Act of Alberta. It is responsible for the management, operation and development of YYC Calgary International Airport and YBW Springbank Airport. Calgary Airports’ commitment to safety remains a top priority. Our airports are important economic generators for the city, region and province, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in GDP through associated economic activity. Calgary Airports was also recognized as one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 2025.

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