Sylvia Burka Athlete
Sylvia Burka (born May 4, 1954 in Winnipeg, Manitoba) is a former ice speed skater from Canada of Latvian descent, who represented her native country at three consecutive Winter Olympics, starting in 1972 in Sapporo, Japan. Despite losing an eye in a childhood accident, Burka was Canada's national junior speed skating champion by age fifteen. Four years later, in 1973, she won the world junior championship. Burka first Olympic experience featured a fall in the 500m race with Anne Henning. Burka would have probably been disaqualified regardless as she blocked Henning during the lane crossover. Ill during the 1976 Winter Olympics, her best result was a fourth in the 1500 m event. However, she recovered to win the world championship two weeks later. In 1977 she won the world sprint speed skating title. Her speed-skating accomplishments also include two 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 ending her career in sports Burka became a partner and the financial officer in Cancore Building Services, and a coach. Inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 1983
