Cathy Priestner Allinger

When Cathy Priestner Allinger stood on the podium in Innsbruck, Austria as the 1976 Olympic silver medalist in speed skating, she never dreamed that one day she’d be the first woman to head the sports function at an Olympic Games, let alone in her native country.

An Olympian, former coach, administrator, volunteer and television broadcaster who has been involved in every aspect of sport and sport management, Priestner Allinger is no stranger to breaking records. It’s a feat she hopes to repeat in her role at VANOC, where her scope of responsibility includes sport, venue management, medical services, anti-doping control, Paralympic Games and the actual running of the Olympic Games’ 82 medal events. 

As the lead author of the “Own the Podium 2010” report, Priestner Allinger is integrally involved in the $110 million initiative, which is designed to provide Canadian athletes with the resources and technology they need to succeed and make it to the podium in 2010.

Priestner Allinger credits the many different sport hats she’s worn over the years for the unique perspective she brings to her position – Vancouver 2010 marks the eighth time she has participated in a Games in some capacity. Prior to joining VANOC, she was the Managing Director of Games Operations for the Torino 2006 Winter Games and Managing Director of Sport for the Salt Lake 2002 Winter Games.

As a television broadcaster, Priestner Allinger provided colour commentary for short and long track speed skating events for the Canadian Broadcast Corporation at the Albertville 1992 Winter Games and Nagano 1998 Winter Games. Previously, she ran the Calgary Olympic Oval.

Priestner Allinger started skating at the age of 11. Within a year, she had won her first Canadian National competition and was on her way to competing in her first World Championships as a member of the Canadian National team. In addition to top rankings at Canada Winter Games, World Sprint and World All-round Championships, she went on to compete in two Olympic Games: the 1972 Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan and the 1976 Winter Games in Innsbruck, Austria, where she won the silver medal in the 500m race, placed 6th in the 1000m race and became the first Canadian woman to win an Olympic medal in speed skating. It was a record she held until 1994.

Following her historic medal win, Priestner Allinger was selected to carry the Canadian flag at the Closing Ceremonies of the 1976 Olympic Winter Games. She and fellow Olympian Ken Read also had the honour of carrying the Olympic torch into the stadium for the Opening Ceremonies of the Calgary 1988 Olympic Winter Games. Priestner Allinger is an Olympic Order recipient and inductee of the Canadian Hall of Fame and Olympic Hall of Fame.

Proud as she is of her accomplishments in the sport arena, she considers being a mom and raising three children her greatest achievement. She also enjoys cycling, working out and trying to play basketball with her 6’5” son.