Canada's Top Athletes
Each link represents the outstanding achievements of the athlete in the year they won the Lou Marsh Memorial Award. Galleries of photos, artefacts, and select videos, help us to learn more about each athlete.
A collection of Toronto Star newspaper articles capture an historic perspective. Take note of varying journalistic styles throughout the years.
Look for the Toronto Star winner's announcement in each exhibit. Often the article contains the names of many other athletes considered that year. They bring to light the depth of exceptional talent present throughout Canadian history, and the challenge the selection committee undertakes annually in making its choice.
The 1930's
The 1940's
The 1950's
- 1950 McFarlane, Bob Football, Track & Field
- 1951 Streit, Marlene Stewart Golf
- 1952 Genereux, George Trap Shooting
- 1953 Hepburn, Doug Weightlifting
- 1954 Bell, Marilyn Swimming
- 1955 Whittall, Beth Swimming
- 1956 Streit, Marlene Stewart Golf
- 1957 Richard, Maurice Hockey
- 1958 Wheeler, Lucile Downhill Skiing
- 1959 Wagner, Barbara Figure Skating
- 1959 Paul, Robert Figure Skating
The 1960's
- 1960 Heggtveit, Anne Downhill Skiing
- 1961 Kidd, Bruce Track & Field
- 1962 Jackson, Don Figure Skating
- 1963 Crothers, Bill Track & Field
- 1964 Hungerford, George Rowing
- 1964 Jackson, Roger Rowing
- 1965 Burka, Petra Figure Skating
- 1966 Tanner, Elaine Swimming
- 1967 Greene, Nancy Downhill Skiing
- 1968 Greene, Nancy Downhill Skiing
- 1969 Jackson, Russ Football
The 1970's
- 1970 Orr, Bobby Hockey
- 1971 Filion, Herve Harness Racing
- 1972 Esposito, Phil Hockey
- 1973 Hawley, Sandy Harness Racing
- 1974 Jenkins, Ferguson Baseball
- 1975 Clarke, Bobby Hockey
- 1976 Hawley, Sandy Harness Racing
- 1977 Lafleur, Guy Hockey
- 1978 Smith, Graham Swimming
- 1978 Read, Ken Downhill Skiing
- 1979 Post, Sandra Golf
The 1980's
- 1980 Fox, Terry Marathon of Hope
- 1981 Nattrass, Susan Shooting
- 1982 Gretzky, Wayne Hockey
- 1983 Hansen, Rick Wheelchair Athlete
- 1983 Gretzky, Wayne Hockey
- 1984 Boucher, Gaetan Speed-Skating
- 1985 Gretzky, Wayne Hockey
- 1986 Johnson, Ben Track & Field
- 1987 Johnson, Ben Track & Field
- 1988 Waldo, Carolyn Synchronized Swimming
- 1989 Gretzky, Wayne Hockey
The 1990's
- 1990 Browning, Kurt Figure Skating
- 1991 Laumann, Silken Rowing
- 1992 Tewksbury, Mark Swimming
- 1993 Lemieux, Mario Hockey
- 1994 Bedard, Myriam Biathlon
- 1995 Villeneuve, Jacques Auto Racing
- 1996 Bailey, Donovan Track & Field
- 1997 Villeneuve, Jacques Auto Racing
- 1998 Walker, Larry Baseball
- 1999 Brunet, Caroline Kayaking
The 2000's
- 2000 Igali, Daniel Wrestling
- 2001 Pelletier, David Figure Skating
- 2001 Sale, Jamie Figure Skating
- 2002 Le May Doan, Catriona Speed-Skating
- 2003 Weir, Mike Golf
- 2004 van Koeverden, Adam Kayaking
- 2005 Nash, Steve Basketball
- 2006 Klassen, Cindy Speed-Skating
- 2007 Crosby, Sidney Hockey
- 2008 Petitclerc, Chantal Wheelchair Athlete