CBC Sports broadcaster Terry Leibel retires
CBC Sports broadcaster Terry Leibel, the first woman to ever host a CBC Olympic Games broadcast, announced her retirement Wednesday following a 28-year career.
Leibel, who began her career with CBC Sports in 1980 as an equestrian analyst, will call it quits following her final assignment for CBC, a Spruce Meadows equestrian event in June.
Scott Moore, executive director of CBC Sports, called Leibel "one of the best broadcasters in the business."
"We are losing a great talent," Moore said. "Terry was the complete package. Not only is she a former athlete; she hosted our Olympic broadcasts, called play-by-play for a variety of sports and provided analysis for equestrian. She brought a diversity to her broadcasting work that is rare in the business today."
A member of Canada's national equestrian team from 1970-1980, Leibel said she experiences "a huge sense of honour, pride and satisfaction" as she reflects on her broadcasting career.
Male execs with vision gave Leibel a rare chance
"I was afforded an opportunity that had never been afforded to another woman at the time, and I am proud of doing something that has never been done before," said Leibel.
"It took male TV executives with a vision to say, 'it's time for a woman.' One of my major goals was to be part of the Olympic Games beyond participating as an athlete, and CBC Sports allowed me reach this goal in 1996 when I was named a host of their Olympic Games coverage.
"I am honoured to have had the opportunity to share great moments in sports with the nation and to help open up opportunities for other women. It has been an incredible 28 years."
Leibel left the CBC in 1984 when she joined TSN but returned to the national broadcaster two years later to serve as co-host of Sports Weekend with Brian Williams.
She became the first woman to co-host CBC Sports Olympic coverage during the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. Leibel hosted the afternoon coverage of the 1998 Winter Games in Japan and the 2000 Summer Games in Australia.
She was also involved in hosting coverage of the 2002 and 2006 Winter Games and the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Leibel's work at the Atlanta and Sydney Games earned her Gemini nominations for Best Sports Broadcaster, and in 2003 she became the first female sports broadcaster to win a Gemini Award.