Lucas Makowsky, Canadian Olympic Speed Skater
Described as “incredible”, “the complete package” and a “specimen” by Olympic Champion Clara Hughes, Lucas Makowsky has made an impressive name for himself in the world Speed Skating. An Olympic Gold Medalist in speed skating, with a number one ranking in several distances in Canada, Lucas has excelled the highest levels of athletic competition.
His strong involvement in the Ukrainian community through the dance ensemble Tavaria, Ukrainian Camp Trident and practicing the rich Ukrainian Orthodox traditions that he cherishes. Lucas was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on May 30th 1987 and started his speed skating career at the tender age of six.
Although he comes from a sporting family, (relative Jon Makowsky is a former speed skater and cousin Gene Makowsky played Canadian football for the Saskatchewan Roughriders) his early start has inevitably been beneficial.
In the 2007 / 2008 season, Makowsky competed in 7 World Cup events. During the following season, Makowsky expanded his international experience and competed in a Canadian championship, two world championships as well as an Olympic Oval Finale in Calgary.
As he matured, Makowsky gained more experience in various World Cups, racing in more team trials, in World Cups in addition to having an impressive performance at the Canadian Olympic Trials, winning both the 1500m and the 5000m. Makowsky’s most prestigious performance was certainly his debut at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver of 2010 where he made all Ukrainian Canadians proud by finishing first and winning an Olympic Gold Medal in the Team Pursuit with a time of 3:41.37 in the final.
Since the Olympics, Makowsky has competed in multiple time trials and World Cup events as well as multiple international and national events, continuing to improve his results and furthering his athletic achievements. As a member of the Regina Speed Skating Club, Makowsky continues to focus on mid-distance events and has performed consistently on the World Cup circuit.
Lucas was awarded the Taras Shevchenko Medal by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress for his athletic accomplishments in November of 2010. The UCC and the entirety of the Canadian nation are proud to support Lucas Makowsky on his journey to competing at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia and all his additional upcoming athletic endeavours.
Off the ice, Makowsky is currently working towards a double major in Chemical Engineering and Economics at the University of Calgary and speaks fluent English, French and Ukrainian.
