Name: Lynda Kiejko
CAN Fund Recipient Since: 2015
Sport: Shooting
Best Result:
6th Place South Korea World Cup 2015
Double Gold Medalist Pan American Games 2015
Hometown: Calgary, AB
On The National Team Since: 1999
How does being a CAN Fund Recipient make a difference for you?
The CAN Fund will allow me to go to any World Cup in the next season (2016) that I want to attend rather than being restricted because of the cost. Also, I now have the flexibility to add in valuable competitions that I previously did not have the option to add due to the extra cost and my limited competition and training budget.
Think of someone who has impacted your life. Share 3 words on who they are to you.
My sister, Dorothy Ludwig (2012 CAN Fund Recipient) – Compassionate, Graceful, Fierce
Dorothy is a shining example of overcoming adversity, and continuing to compete long after most people would have given up. She has been my role model, strongest competition, and my biggest fan through my sports career.
What is the biggest hurdle you have overcome to get to where you are today?
Balancing work, family and sports. There is so much demand with a family and with working to pay for every day requirements it requires a huge commitment from the entire family to support an athlete. Being a working mom and an athlete is a challenging balance to maintain and I would not be able to accomplish it without a great support team!
Share 3 words to describe what CAN Fund is to you.
Opportunity, Support, Team
When was the moment you knew you wanted to represent Canada?
When I did not make the Canada Winter Games Team, it was then that I knew I wanted to go on to bigger events.
What is the best part about representing Canada?
Wearing the maple leaf on my uniform and showing other countries that Canadians really are caring people.
Why are you proud to be Canadian?
There are so many great things about Canada I don’t know if I could relay them all! The diversity of Canada, the opportunities that we have just for living in Canada and how we bond together to help each other when in need.
How did you get involved in your sport?
My father (Bill Hare) was a competitive pistol shooter for many years and competed at Commonwealth Games, World Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympics. He retired from competition and then started coaching, he asked if I wanted to try, and I have been shooting ever since!
Share 2-3 things you are grateful for
Family, Funding, Opportunity to travel to places I wouldn’t think to go.
Best advice you have ever received?
“All you have to do is make the finals, then anything can happen.”
Biggest lesson you have learned to get to where you are today?
Failure is a catalyst to improvement as long as you learn from every experience.
What was your breakthrough moment?
Realizing that the perfect shot was always easy. if I am struggling to make the shot, it’s time to put down my pistol and start again. Perfect shots are always easy.
What advice would you give to young kids or teenagers about following their dreams?
Dreams take hard work and commitment and achieving them is more rewarding than you can imagine.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
It’s a tie between placing 6th at the World Cup (no one had made the finals in my sport in over 20 years) and Double Gold at the Pan American Games (very rare to have a double medalist, let alone double GOLD medalist).
What do you value most in your friends?
Their patience and understanding. The friends I have are the ones who are happy to support and stand by me, even if we haven’t seen each other in ages. They are also the ones with the most positive outlook on life and who constantly teach me new things about the world and myself.
What are your hobbies?
Reading – I love learning new things, I only rarely read fiction.
Hiking – being out in God’s creation is not only calming but also rejuvenating.
What is your favourite quote or words to live by?
“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso
What is a healthy snack you eat before or after training sessions?
Banana is my favourite go to snack, with peanut butter if available, otherwise a peanut butter Larabar.
What is your pre-game/pre-competition meal?
Bacon and Eggs (assuming I compete in the morning) with assorted fruit, and peanut butter.
Do you have a favourite recipe, what is it?
Almond Butter Banana Muffins
Website: www.canadianshootingstars.com
