Born on May 11, 1943, in Ottawa, Nancy Catherine “Tiger” Greene Raine was hailed by the Canadian press as “Canada’s Female Athlete of the 20th Century.” She is an alpine skier, an Olympic gold medallist, and later became a senator for British Columbia. Ottawa Ski shares more details about the incredible and multifaceted journey of this exceptional woman.
Childhood
Her parents were native British Columbians, and her father worked for the government. After World War II, the family settled in Rossland, British Columbia. Along with her five siblings, Nancy Greene was an avid skier, and they played a crucial role in the foundation of the “Red Mountain” ski club. At 14, she began competing in ski races.
Canada’s Walk of Fame
Greene became a two-time World Cup alpine skiing champion. Her aggressive and fierce style on the slopes earned her the nickname “Tiger.” Perhaps this determination and discipline contributed to her incredible success. With 13 World Cup victories, she holds an impressive record. Canada recognized her achievements by naming her “Athlete of the Year” in both 1967 and 1968.
At just 24 years old, Nancy retired from competitive skiing. While many famous names fade with time, this was certainly not the case for Nancy Greene. In 2009, she became a member of the Canadian Senate, serving until 2018. Her name is enshrined in various halls of fame and even graces Canada’s Walk of Fame. Several landmarks bear her name, including:
- Nancy Greene Provincial Park
- Nancy Greene Lake
- Nancy Greene Way
Career Beyond Skiing
Initially, she worked as a spokesperson and later, in 1968, joined Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s sports advisory group. This position proved to be pivotal, as it led to her meeting Al Raine, who had just been appointed director of Canada’s national ski team. Their relationship quickly flourished, and in August 1969, they were married. Four years later, they welcomed twin sons, Charlie and Willy. One of their sons followed in her footsteps, competing in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.
The family settled in British Columbia, and Nancy continued her work as a sports ambassador. She held administrative roles at several alpine resorts, and in 2010, she was appointed ambassador for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
In 2009, she was appointed senator for British Columbia, representing the Conservative Party. Nancy Greene held the position until 2018, retiring at the age of 75. One of her notable contributions was supporting the Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) Act and sponsoring Bill S-228, which aimed to ban marketing unhealthy food and beverages to children. During her time as a Canadian senator, she remained a passionate advocate for health and fitness. Greene also played a key role in designating the first Saturday in June as National Health and Fitness Day in Canada.
A Remarkable Woman from Ottawa
She is widely recognized for her extraordinary achievements, having competed in her first Olympic Games just two years after she started skiing. To everyone’s surprise, she went on to win Olympic gold.
Nancy Greene has received numerous awards, including an honorary degree from Cariboo University College. She is regarded as a national hero, admired for her pursuit of excellence, entrepreneurial vision, and athletic contributions. Even today, she remains an inspiring role model for future generations of Canadian athletes.