2004 Skate Canada Hall of Fame Induction

Elvis Stojko

This three time World Champion from Richmond Hill, has been making history for more than a decade. He earned his first national title in 1988 when he became the Canadian Junior Men’s Champion and his first senior national title in 1994. He went on to win the national crown from 1996-2000 and again in 2002 making a total of seven senior national titles in all.

At his first World Championships in 1991 Elvis became the first athlete ever to complete a quadruple jump combination in World competition and in 1997 at the Champions Series Final in Hamilton he set a new record by becoming the first athlete to complete a quadruple/triple combination.

Competing in his first Olympics in 1992 in Albertville, Elvis made his mark by finishing 7th. That same year he won his first World medal – a bronze. A year later he moved on step up the podium in Prague to win a World silver medal. In 1994 in Lillehammer he claimed the Olympic silver medal and went on to win his first World Championship Gold medal a few weeks later in Japan. He was awarded the 1994 Lionel Conacher Award for Athlete of the Year by the Canadian Press as well as the Norton H. Crowe Award for Canadian Male Athlete of the Year.

Elvis, is an avid practitioner of martial arts and its influence can be seen in many of the programs that Elvis skated. It has also provided him with tremendous inner strength earning him the nickname “The Terminator”. His ability to stay focused is envied by many of his peers and respected by all. He defended his world title in 1995 in Birmingham, England despite an injury which would have sidelined most individuals.

In 1996, he was awarded the Meritorious Service decoration by the Governor General of Canada for bringing honour to the country.

In 1997 at the World Championships in Lausanne, Elvis became the first athlete to include a quadruple/triple combination in his performance and won his third World title. Once again he was recognized by the sport community and awarded the Norton H. Crowe Award as Canadian Male Athlete of the Year.

Competing in his third Olympics in Nagano in 1998, Elvis again stood on the podium. Despite a groin injury, which had occurred a few weeks earlier at the National Championships, and pulling an abductor muscle during the free skate of his Olympic performance, Elvis battled through his program to win the silver medal.

He was recognized as a national hero for his determination and courage to compete and his outstanding achievement and was presented with the Meritorious Service Cross by the Governor General of Canada.

In 2000 Elvis stood on top of the podium at the ISU Four Continents Championships and took the silver medal at the World Championships. The year that followed was one of frustration as Elvis battled injuries that forced him to miss an entire season. He returned a year later to a 10th place finish at the 2001 World Championships.

In 2002 Elvis won his final national championships and headed to his fourth Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City where he finished in 8th place.

Throughout his eligible figure skating career, Elvis was a great ambassador for the sport.

He is a great athlete, a great sportsman, a great humanitarian and a great role model.