15 Canadian books to read to get into the Olympic spirit

If you're inspired by the 2024ParisOlympic Games,check out one of these great Canadian books!

The Olympics are taking placeJuly 26-Aug. 11, 2024 and the Paralympics are taking place Aug. 28-Sept. 8. You can see a complete schedule of events here.

Racesby Valerie Jerome

The Jerome family have an historic record in Canadian sports with the grandfather being the country's first Black Olympianand siblings Harry and Valerie also competing and setting world records in the 1960s. In thebookRaces, Valerie Jerome details those heroic moments for her family and the nation, that came alongside the racism they simultaneously had to face.

• Olympic athlete Valerie Jerome talks about racism and escaping to track and field

Valerie Jerome is the granddaughter of Canada'sfirst Black OlympianJohn "Army" Howard and a Canadian Olympian herself. She has previouslyrepresented the Green Party of British Columbia and her work in conservation garnered her a 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal and a City of Vancouver Heritage Award.

WATCH | Valerie Jerome on BC Today:

Olympian recalls athletic success amid horrific racism in new book

1 year ago

Duration 11:53

Track and field star Valerie Jerome spoke to BC Today host Michelle Eliot about her family's struggles and successes, which she details in a new book called Races: The Trials and Triumphs of Canada's Fastest Family.

Igniteby Andre De Grasse

Ignite: Unlock the Hidden Potential Withinis a book aboutAndre De Grasse's journey to becoming the most decorated male summer Olympian in Canadian history. It tells De Grasse's story while sharingthe lessons hehas learned about achieving success and finding happiness along the way.

• Canadian Olympic star Andre De Grasse publishing new book,Ignite, out this fall

De Grasse is asix-time Olympic medallist and World champion sprinter, andthe founder of the Andre De Grasse Family Foundation. He is also the author of the picture bookRace with Me!.

WATCH | Andre De Grasse discussees his latest book:

"I can't run forever": Andre De Grasse opens up about future plans in new book | Athletics North

1 year ago

Duration 4:29

Andre De Grasse learned a lot about himself when writing his new book 'Ignite', in which, he tells stories of his life and learnings as the 'accidental sprinter'.

Alphonso Davies: A New Hopeby Farhan Devji

Alphonso Davies: A New Hopeis the first biography of the Canadian soccer sensation. Based on years of reporting and extensive interviews with friends and family, the book explores Davies's life and career from growing up amidst the Liberian Civil War to starting life in a new country and becoming a superstar, helping Canada reach the men's World Cup for the first time in 36 years.

Farhan Devji is the former reporter for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and a multimedia storyteller, whose writing has appeared in the Edmonton Journal and Ottawa Citizen. He produced the documentaryBecoming Canadian: The Alphonso Davies Story.

The Save of My Lifeby Corey Hirsch and Sean Patrick Conboy

By age 22, Corey Hirsch had played in the NHL and won both anOlympic medal and a Stanley Cup. While he realized his dreams in the arena, off the iceHirsch was plagued by mental health issues, often unable to get out of bed and stop the cycle of dark thoughts.The Save of My Lifereflects on Hirsch's journey to a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder and his road to recovery as a professional athlete.

In 1994,Hirschwon the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers as well as a silver medal at the Olympics. Born in Medicine Hat and raised in Calgary, he was drafted by the New York Rangers and played for many seasons with the Vancouver Canucks. After retiring from play, Hirsch became an NHL coachand later an analyst with Sportsnet. Healso became thenational youth ambassador for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and a co-host ofThe Players' Tribunepodcast,Blindsided.

SeanConboyis the editor-in-chief of thePlayers' Tribune, and was previously a contributing writer forWiredmagazine.

Playing the Long Gameby Christine Sinclair with Stephen Brunt

In collaboration with the Canadiansportswriter Stephen Brunt who has followed her career for years, Olympic soccer gold-medallist Christine Sinclair provides an in-depth look into what led her to becomethe top international goal scorer of all time and one of Canada's greatest athletes. She tells the stories behind some of her brightest successes and heartbreakingfailures. InPlaying the Long Game,the Sinclair shares the wisdom gleanedfrom a career spent changing the game ofwomen's sport.

• Canadian soccer star Christine Sinclair appointed to Order of British Columbia

An Olympic gold medallist, Sinclair was along-time forward and the captain of Canada's national soccer team. She is playing one final season for the Portland Thorns FC of the National Women's Soccer League.Born and raised in Burnaby, B.C., she now lives in Portland, Oregon.

Stephen Bruntis a Canadian writer and broadcaster with Rogers Sportsnet and the author of multiplebooks includingFacing Ali,Searching for Bobby OrrandGretzky's Tears.

WATCH | Christine Sinclairon CBC Sports:

Canada Soccer's Christine Sinclair on winning Olympic Gold, 3rd NWSL title & her new book

2 years ago

Duration 9:22

Soccer North host Andi Petrillo is joined by Canadian Women's National Team player Christine Sinclair to discuss the release of her book 'Playing The Long Game: A Memoir'.

My Mother's Daughter by Perdita Felicien

Perdita Felicien's mom Catherine was a poor young woman in St. Lucia when she was given a seemingly random, but ultimately life-changing, opportunity: to come to Canada with a wealthy white family and become their nanny. But when she gets to Canada, life is tougher than she expected, as she endures poverty, domestic violence and even homelessness. However, she still encouraged and supported her youngest daughter's athletic dreams. Felicienwould go on to be a world-class hurdler and one of Canada's greatest track athletes.My Mother's Daughteris the story of these two women, and how their love for each other got them through difficult times and changed their lives.

• 'I never talked about it and I am now:' Perdita Felicien on growing up in poverty

Perdita Felicien was a 10-time national champion, a two-time Olympian and became the first Canadian woman to win a gold medal at a world championships. She now works as a sports broadcaster and is part ofCBC's team covering the Olympics.My Mother's Daughteris her first book.

WATCH | Perdita Felicien onthe inspiration behind her latest book:

Perdita Felicien draws strength from the hurdles her mother faced

4 years ago

Duration 9:12

Perdita Felicien is one of Canadas most decorated female track athletes, but her memoir focuses on the hurdles her mother faced and how that became her inspiration.

The Bone Cage by Angie Abdou

The Bone Cage is a novel that takes readers deep into the gruelling, often solitary world of amateur sport. It follows the fortunes of two athletes: a wrestler and a swimmer, both vying for a place on the Canadian Olympic team.

The Bone Cagewas a contender for Canada Reads 2011, when it was defended by Georges Laraque.

• Why Angie Abdou thinks fans of Chris Cleave's Gold should check out Girl Runner by Carrie Snyder

Angie Abdouthe author of severalbooks, including thenovel In Case I Go and nonfiction book Home Ice. She is a professorat Athabasca University.

LISTEN | Angie Abdou on The Next Chapter:

Canada Reads18:44"The Bone Cage" author Angie Abdou interview on the Next Chapter

Shelagh Rogers talks to Canada Reads author Angie Abdou.

Girl Runner by Carrie Snyder

Girl Runner tells the story of Aganetha Smart, a former Olympic athlete who was famous in the 1920s, but now, at age 104, lives in a nursing home, alone and forgotten. When her quiet life is disturbed by the unexpected arrival of two young strangers, Aganetha begins to reflect on her childhood in rural Ontario and her struggles to make an independent life in the city.

Girl Runnerwas a finalist for the2014 Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize.

• Carrie Snyder: How I wroteGirl Runner

Carrie Snyder is a fiction, nonfiction and children's book author. Her other books include the short story collections The Juliet Stories and Hair Hat.She is from Hamilton, Ont.

Forever Terry: A Legacy in Letters

Forever Terry: A Legacy in Letterscelebrates the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope.In 1980, Terry Fox captured Canada's imagination when he embarked on a run across Canada to raise money for cancer. The 21-year-old from Port Coquitlam, B.C.,had lost part of his right leg to cancer when he was 18. He ran a marathon every day and made it as far as ThunderBay, Ont., before the cancer spread to his lungs and he had to stop.

The book features 40 letters by 40 prominent Canadians, reflecting on Terry Fox's life and legacy. The book was edited by Terry Fox's younger brother, Darrell Fox.

• Darrell Fox reflects on the dedication and perseverance that his brother Terry Fox embodied

Contributors include hockey player Bobby Orr, actor Shawn Ashmore, OlympianPerdita Felicien, writerMargaret Atwood, basketball star Steve Nash, singer Jann Arden and athlete and activistRick Hansen. A portion of the book's proceeds will go to the Terry Fox Foundation to support cancer research.

LISTEN | The legacy of Terry Fox:

Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope 40 years later

4 years ago

Duration 7:32

Forty years after Terry Fox ran his Marathon of Hope, an Olympian, Paralympian and one of his brothers look back on his accomplishments and his legacy. Darrell Fox has edited a new book of letters about his brothers inspiration, dedication, and perseverance.

The Illegal by Lawrence Hill

The Illegal examines the plight of refugees who risk everything to start over in a country that doesn't want them. After his father is killed, runner Keita Ali flees his homeland to a country known as Freedom State, where his presence is illegal and he must go underground to survive.

The Illegal wonCanada Reads 2016. The book wasdefended by Olympian Clara Hughes.

• Lawrence Hill: 11 books that shaped my life

Lawrence Hill is the author of several books, including the novelThe Book of Negroes.The Book of Negroeswon Canada Reads in 2009 and was adapted into a six-part miniseries for CBC. He is also the author of Black Berry, Sweet Juice and Blood. He lives in Hamilton, Ont.

LISTEN | Lawrence Hill on The Illegal:

Canada Reads: Clara Hughes and Lawrence Hill

9 years ago

Duration 4:34

The Illegal's celebrity champion and its author talk to CBC's Deana Sumanac about the 2016 Canada Reads winner.

Open Heart, Open Mind by ClaraHughes

A six-time Olympic medalist, Clara Hughes was the first athlete ever to win multiple medals in both summer and winter games. But there's another story behind her celebrated career as an athlete a long battle with substance abuse and depression. She shares this story in her memoirOpen Heart, Open Mind.

• Clara Hughes on her memoir, Olympic success and struggles with her mental health

Hughes is a cyclist, speed skater, author and humanitarian. She is the only Canadian athlete to win multiple medals at both the summer and winter Olympic Games.Open Heart, Open Mindis her first book.

WATCH | Clara Hughes on CBC:

Clara Hughes recalls her 1996 Atlanta Olympic debut

4 years ago

Duration 4:07

The 6x Olympic medallist breaks down her first Games as the rookie on one of Canada's most iconic teams.

Swimming Studies by Leanne Shapton

Swimming Studies is a collection of autobiographical sketches that explore the worlds of competitive and recreational swimming. Leanne Shapton contemplates how sport has shaped her life, from her training for the Olympic trials as a teenager to meditative swims in pools and oceans as an adult. Her stories are told in both writing pieces and illustrations.

• Leanne Shapton on what objects tell us about the lives of others

Shapton is an artist and author of several books, including Guestbook: Ghost Storiesand Women in Clothes.She is also the co-founder of J&L Books, a publisher of art and photography books. She lives in New York City.

Reclaiming Tom Longboat by Janice Forsyth

Reclaiming Tom Longboatlooks at the history of Indigenous sport in Canada, using the Tom Longboat Awards as a guide. The Tom Longboat Awards annually recognize Indigenous athletes and their contributions to sport in Canada.Reclaiming Tom Longboattells this story, alongside assessing how Canadian governmental practices and policy have shaped Indigenous relations, and Indigenous sports throughout history.

• How the Aboriginal Sport Circle is helping empower through sport

Janice Forsyth is an associate professor of sociology and the director of First Nations Studies at Western University. She is also the co-editor ofAboriginal Peoples and Sport in Canada.

LISTEN | The legacy of Tom Longboat:

The hurdles Indigenous athletes face chasing Olympic dreams

3 years ago

Duration 6:34

A lack of access to elite sports, and issues with racism, are some of the hurdles facing Indigenous athletes when they chase their Olympic dreams. Previous Olympians are working to help remove those barriers. [Correction: The locator at the beginning of this story should read Siksika First Nation, Alberta]

The 4-year Olympian by Jeremiah Brown

The 4-year Olympian is a story of courage, perseverance and overcoming self-doubt. After nearly being incarcerated and becoming a father at 19, Jeremiah Brown manages to grow up into a responsible young adult. But he has one more goal to become an Olympian.

• Olympic rower nudges a Now or Never listener toward fitness

Jeremiah Brown won an Olympic silver medal as a member of the Canadian men's eight rowing team at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He lives in Peterborough, Ont.

LISTEN | Jeremiah Brown speaks with CBC's Heather Hiscox:

Rower's path to silver

12 years ago

Duration 6:09

Jeremiah Brown, a rower on Canada's medal-winning men's eight team, talks to CBC's Heather Hiscox in Trafalgar Square.

The Greatest Athlete (You've Never Heard Of)by Mark Hebscher

George Washington Orton, paralyzed as a child and told he would never walk again, was the greatest distance runner of his generation, a world-class hockey player and a brilliant scholar yet he is virtually unknown in Canada. Mark Hebscher tells his story in this book.

Mark Hebscher is a sports broadcaster and journalist who lives in Toronto. The Greatest Athlete (You've Never Heard Of) is his first book.

WATCH | Big Canadian moments at the Olympics:

Olympic Games Replay: Top Canadian Moments at the Summer Olympics

3 years ago

Duration 1:33:12

Watch some of the biggest events involving athletes wearing the Maple Leaf at past Summer Games.