Beckie Scott is an inspiring Olympic champion and Canada’s most decorated cross-country skier. Her influence extends far beyond the ski trails, encompassing fair play, the fight against doping, and empowering Indigenous youth through sport, reports edmontonka.com.
First Steps in Skiing
Beckie-Ann Scott was born in 1974 in Vegreville, Alberta, but spent her childhood in Vermilion. She was introduced to the sport by her parents, who founded the Vermilion Nordic Ski Club. Their family home bordered Vermilion Provincial Park, meaning Beckie could ski whenever she pleased. This accessibility allowed her to immerse herself in cross-country skiing, also known as Nordic skiing. Her parents enrolled her in the local league at age five, and she began racing by age seven.
At 13, under coach Les Parsons, she won her first national junior competition in British Columbia. It was then that Beckie realized she wanted to represent Canada and become an Olympic champion. Racing on the Alberta Cup circuit, she fell in love with the competition, the race atmosphere, and the community of sports enthusiasts. By 16, she was a regular at the World Junior Championships. In a sport dominated by European athletes, Scott was the only North American making a mark on the international cross-country scene. At the 1998 Nagano Olympics, she finished 45th in the pursuit. However, in 2001, she won Canada’s first World Cup medal in a decade—a bronze in the sprint.
Growing in Every Direction
Throughout her athletic career and beyond, Beckie found opportunities to grow in every direction. This came with an unparalleled level of public love and trust. The immense support she received was a major source of inspiration, even during challenging times.
Over 11 years with the Canadian National Ski Team, Beckie competed in the World Cup circuit, including biennial World Championships and three Olympic Games: Nagano (1998), Salt Lake City (2002), and Turin (2006). By the time she retired, Beckie had broken every Canadian record and established herself as one of the world’s best all-round skiers, claiming 17 World Cup medals.
Retiring from competition didn’t mark the end of her involvement in sports. In fact, her post-racing career has become an equally vital part of her legacy. In 2006, her peers elected her to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission. This role led to work with the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee, and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. Beckie also chaired the Women’s Committee for Cross Country Canada.
The Difficult Fight for Justice
Scott has courageously and passionately championed clean sport, taking a stand against countries and athletes using banned substances. Her actions have gained worldwide recognition as a consistent fight against doping in sports.
A lifelong believer in clean sport and fair play, Beckie became a fierce anti-doping advocate following the 2002 Winter Olympics. She originally placed third behind two Russian skiers who were subsequently disqualified for using banned performance-enhancing drugs. Consequently, her bronze medal was upgraded to silver, and finally, in 2004, to gold. Beckie believes all athletes deserve to compete on a level playing field, regardless of where they come from or what sport they play.
The fight for justice came naturally to the athlete, having been raised in a socially conscious family. Her parents, Jan and Walter, ensured their daughter learned to stand up for what she believed to be right, actively participate in the changes she wished to see, and fight for justice. She excelled at this, repeatedly proving that her convictions were a source of strength.
In 2001, Scott and her friends petitioned the International Ski Federation (FIS), demanding the creation of an independent doping testing body for all World Cup and Olympic cross-country races. Since 2005, Scott has actively collaborated with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). As Chair of the Athletes’ Committee, she participated in drafting the Anti-Doping Charter of Athlete Rights.
Major Achievements
From 2003 to 2005, the athlete won several World Cup medals in sprint, team, and distance events, and twice became a World Champion. At the subsequent 2006 Olympics, Beckie narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in her events. Scott retired from competitive sports in 2006.
Beckie continues to advocate for fair sport and play, and her work has been recognized at the highest levels. Scott is a member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame. She also holds honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Alberta and the University of British Columbia. She has been awarded Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals and the Meritorious Service Medal. In 2018, Beckie was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.
It is important to note that Scott inspired athletes from local ski clubs to compete internationally and put her hometown of Vermilion on the skiing map. As CEO of Spirit North—a national organization working to improve the lives of Indigenous children and youth through sport and play—Beckie has enthusiastically fought for equality and fair opportunities for all.
Work with Spirit North
When Spirit North invited her to become an ambassador, she stepped onto an Indigenous reserve for the first time. It was then that Beckie witnessed the stark reality of the socio-economic, health, and educational disparities existing among Indigenous peoples. She was particularly saddened by the lack of opportunities for children and youth. Following the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report in 2015, she felt a duty as a Canadian to contribute to the reconciliation process. Since many of the Calls to Action related to sport, she saw this as the most appropriate path for her to take.
Spirit North is recognized as one of Canada’s leading organizations promoting sport for social development. Based in Alberta, it has expanded its operations to cover five provinces, engaging approximately 6,000 children and teenagers annually.
In her spare time, Beckie enjoys skiing and maintaining an active lifestyle with her husband, former Olympian Justin Wadsworth. Beckie hopes that, whatever path she chooses, sport will remain a key to her lifelong health and well-being. She has never once regretted dedicating her life to cross-country skiing.