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Sandra Schmirler: The Queen of Curling
Whether they play for fun in small-town clubs or for glory at the winter Olympics, one thing's for certain: Canadians love curling, and they've produced some of the world's best players. Though some have called it "shuffleboard on ice," supporters say it's a game with a grand Canadian tradition of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship.
• When she was knocked out in the semi-final at the 1998 Scott Tournament of Hearts — the Canadian women's championship — Schmirler took the opportunity to do colour commentary for the CBC's broadcast of the final. The tryout was a success, and she continued to be a commentator whenever she wasn't competing.
• Shortly after the birth of her second child, Jenna, in June of 1999, Schmirler was diagnosed with cancer. After several rounds of chemotherapy, she was strong enough to do commentary for the junior world championships in Moncton in February 2000.
• Sandra Schmirler died on March 2, 2000 at the age of 36. Her memorial service was broadcast live on two networks and watched by hundreds of thousands of people.
• Schmirler is remembered in many ways: the Sandra Schmirler Award goes to the most valuable player at the Scott Tournament of Hearts according to a vote by the media. The Sandra Schmirler Olympic Gold Park is a tribute from her hometown of Biggar, Sask. In recognition of her love of family, the Sandra Schmirler Foundation was founded in January 2000 to help families of children with life-threatening illnesses.
• Although the Schmirler rink was the first to win Olympic gold, curling has a long history at the Olympics. It was a men-only demonstration event at the first winter games in Chamonix, France, in 1924. England, Sweden and France were the only countries to field teams; England won.
• The International Curling Federation (later the World Curling Federation) was formed in 1966, but it wasn't until 1982 that it began lobbying the International Olympic Committee to include curling in the Olympics. The sport was a demonstration event at the Games in 1988 and 1992, and later that year, the Inernational Olympic Committee announced that curling would be an official sport.
Program: Midday
Broadcast Date: Jan. 29, 1998
Guest(s): Sandra Schmirler
Host: Brent Bambury, Tina Srebotnjak
Duration: 4:53
Last updated: February 1, 2012
Page consulted on May 2, 2013
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