Gagnon, Limpert named to Canadian Olympic hall

Five-time Olympic short-track speed skating medallist Marc Gagnon and 1996 swimming silver medallist Marianne Limpert were announced Tuesday as this year's leading inductees into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame.

Gagnon, from Montreal, and Limpert, from Fredericton, will be honoured by the Canadian Olympic Committee at a gala April 21 in Halifax.

Gagnon captured a Canadian male record five Winter Olympic medals (three gold, two bronze) while competing in the 1994, '98 and 2002 Olympics. He also won the overall title at the world championships in 1993, '94, '96 and '98.

Limpert represented Canada in three consecutive Summer Olympics beginning in 1992. She recorded a top-eight finish each time, highlighted by her silver medal in the 200-metre individual medley at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

Limpert also captured an array of medals at the world aquatic championships (four), Commonwealth Games (nine) and Pan American Games (10).

The other inductees announced Monday were:

• Montgomery Wilson, from Toronto, who became the first North American man to earn an Olympic medal in figure skating by winning bronze at the 1932 Games in Lake Placid, N.Y.
• Deryk Snelling, from Vancouver, who coached Canada's swim team at the 1976, '80, '84 and '92 Olympics.
• Les McDonald, from North Vancouver, B.C., a key figure in getting the triathlon introduced in time for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
• Brian Wakelin, from St. John's, a former vice- president of the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canada's chef de mission for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.