Throughout the month of December, AthletesCAN will reveal the finalists in six award categories for the 45th Canadian Sport Awards continuing to focus on trailblazers, athlete-centred accomplishments and initiatives – with the ultimate goal to unite, amplify and celebrate the leadership and voices of our members.
The campaign will culminate in a virtual awards broadcast on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT live on AthletesCAN’s digital channels.
Randy Starkman Award for Leadership in Sports Journalism
The Randy Starkman Award for Leadership in Sports Journalism was initially created in 2012, following the sudden passing of its namesake just a few months prior, who served as a long-time Toronto Star amateur sports reporter and advocate. The award recognizes the extraordinary career and unparalleled contributions of the late Randy Starkman in telling the stories of Canadian athletes and sport for over 30 years from an athletes’ perspective. This award will serve as an ongoing recognition of his legacy and will be a call to action to inspire current and future Canadian sports journalists to strive for the kind of sports journalism that he demonstrated throughout his career.
Lori Ewing
The Canadian Press
A former nationally-ranked sprinter herself, Ewing has reported for the national wire service since 2001, and has covered nine Olympic Games, most recently at Beijing 2022.
Devin Heroux
CBC sports
Heroux is a cross-platform reporter who covers Olympic and Paralympic news and has reported on the last three Games in PyeongChang, Tokyo and Beijing. He is also a curling correspondent, hosting That Curling Show with World Champion turned-broadcaster Colleen Jones. Heroux is based in Toronto after working for the CBC in Calgary and Saskatoon.
Kerry Gillespie
Toronto Star
Gillespie took over the amateur sports beat from Randy Starkman in September 2012, following stints writing on politics at City Hall and Queen’s Park, as well as with the Editorial Board at Canada’s largest newspaper.