Article

Sylvia Burka

Published Online March 11, 2008

Last Edited December 16, 2013

Sylvia Burka, speed skater, cyclist, coach (b at Winnipeg 4 May 1954). Through hard work and determination, she overcame a visual handicap to become a world-class athlete in 2 sports. Despite losing an eye in a childhood accident, Burka was Canada's national junior SPEED-SKATING champion by age 15.

Burka, Sylvia

Sylvia Burka, speed skater, cyclist, coach (b at Winnipeg 4 May 1954). Through hard work and determination, she overcame a visual handicap to become a world-class athlete in 2 sports. Despite losing an eye in a childhood accident, Burka was Canada's national junior SPEED-SKATING champion by age 15. Four years later, in 1973, she won the world junior championship.

Ill during the 1976 Winter Olympics, her best result was a 4th in the 1500 m event. However, she recovered to win the world championship 2 weeks later. In 1977 she won the world sprint speed-skating title. Her speed-skating accomplishments also include 2 world records.

She has also competed in international cycling competitions, finishing 4th in the individual pursuit event at the 1977 world championships and setting a world record while training in 1982. After retiring from athletic competition Burka became a partner and the Financial Officer in Cancore Building Services, and a coach.

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