Catriona Le May Doan, seen here waving waves the flag ice after winning the gold medal in the women's 500-metre speed skating event at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, has won the Lou Marsh Award. File photo: CP

Speed skater Catriona Le May Doan has been named the recicipent of the Lou Marsh Award as Canada's athlete of the year.

After carrying the Canadian flag into the 2002 Olympic Winter Games opening ceremonies in Salt Lake City, Le May Doan defended her Olympic title with a gold medal performance in the 500-metre event. Competing in her fourth Olympics, she became the first Canadian individual to defend a gold medal at any Games.

Le May Doan, 32, is also the world-record holder in this event and skated an Olympic record time of 37.30 in race one of the two-day competition. She has broken the world record eight times.

In an incredible 2002 season, she staked claim to the world, Olympic and World Cup champion titles in the 500. She broke her world record in the 500 with a time of 37.22 at the World Cup race in Calgary just prior to Salt Lake. She has dominated at this distance over the past two seasons with a 20-race victory streak, which recently ended at a World Cup event.

She has twice been named Canada's female athlete of the year (1998 and 2001).

A second vote was needed to determine Le May Doan as the winner after she and National Basketball Association star Steve Nash, a native of Victoria, were tied in the first round of voting.

The other finalists were: cross-country skier Beckie Scott, pairs figure skaters Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Eric Gagne, short-track speed skater Marc Gagnon, cyclist and speed skater Clara Hughes, doubles tennis player Daniel Nestor and hockey players Jarome Iginla and Steve Yzerman.

Sale and Pelletier won the award last year.

The Lou Marsh Trophy is named for the former Toronto Star sports editor. It's selected by a committee of sports editors and broadcast media people.