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Calgary Herald

Curling legend Kevin Martin draws Order of Sport, joining loaded Class of 2025

Article content Kevin Martin was forever on the mark during his legendary curling career. Article content Both on and off the ice. Article content And for his curling success, he's been named to receive the Order of Sport, Canada's highest sporting honour. Article content 'When it comes to an honour like the Order of Sport, you're in a group with all the athletes of all the different sports — and that means a lot,' said Martin, of the announcement made Tuesday by Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. 'But you don't really worry about this stuff when you're playing. All you do is get out there and try your best, and then wherever it all falls into place, it does. Article content Martin joins not only an elite club but an elite athletes class, as the 2025 inductees also include soccer legend Christine Sinclair, alpine skiing sensation Erik Guay, para-athletics performer Michelle Stilwell and softball superstar Darren Zack. Article content The two builders in the class of 2025 are philanthropist Martha Billes and hockey's Ted Nolan. Article content 'Definitely, you do not take it lightly,' said Martin of the call to order. 'I've actually heard from quite a few of people already, which has been pretty nice. Mostly, it's just a congratulations, which is fantastic to hear from a lot of people.' Article content Article content The 58-year-old native of Killam, Alta., touched many others during his career — and still does as a major advocate for the sport he has helped grow. Article content 'Between the junior curling and the events and the Grand Slam curling and the players association in the '90s and all those various things that I got myself into all those years ago, that means a lot, because that's off the ice,' Martin said. 'That's helping the game at a later date — growing the sport. Article content Article content 'Whereas winning is just yourself.' Article content And he won a lot. Article content At the provincial level, Martin skipped 12 rinks to Alberta titles, and he is a four-time Brier victor, advancing to win the world championship in 2008. Article content Twice, he represented Canada at the Olympics, winning the gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Article content Plus Martin has copped more grand-slam championships than any other curler. Article content 'The obvious answer is the Olympic gold in 2010,' said Martin, when asked to list his most memorable achievements. 'The 18th grand slam win meant a ton, too. Article content 'And helping to get the grand slams started meant a ton. Like developing it and getting it going was important, because that was necessary for a sport to grow internationally.' Article content Article content Sinclair, from Burnaby, B.C., is the all-time leader for international goals scored by men or women with 190 in 331 appearances with the Canadian women's team. She was an Olympic gold medallist in 2021 and twice a bronze medallist before retiring from the national team in 2023. Sinclair, 41, is now a co-owner of the Northern Super League's Vancouver Rise FC.