Manitoba MBs send congratulations to Cindy Klassen

Cindy Klassen is the toast of Canada after winning five medals at this year’s winter Olympics, and among the many messages of congratulations sent to her was one from Manitoba Mennonite Brethren.

Moderator Don Petker asked delegates at the annual provincial convention Feb. 25, the day of Klassen’s last race (5,000 metres), if he could “do something no moderator before me has done” for someone who’s “done something no Canadian Olympian before has done.”

The convention was held at Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute – the very place the young athlete spent her junior and high school years, and where the entire student body and staff had watched and cheered her to victory in her gold medal race Feb. 22.

The reason to send the letter, Petker said, is that “she’s one of us.”

Klassen, who now lives and trains in Calgary, still considers McIvor Ave. MB Church, Winnipeg, her home church, and her parents Jake and Helga Klassen are members there.

Not only did she race into history for the number of medals she owns, Klassen did it with a lovely, self-effacing spirit, sharing the limelight whenever she could and giving others credit for her success. Media reports of her Olympic performances often used the words “competitive” and “humble” in tandem.

Klassen is a wonderful example of the Christian values MBCI strives to build, Ken Opalko, assistant principal at MBCI, told reporters.

Petker said, “Her faith comes through transparently in all she does.”

—Dora Dueck