Hobbies: Martial Arts, Singing, Acting, Dirt Biking, Car Racing
Other Elvis Facts:
In 1991, Elvis became the first man to ever perform a quadruple toe loop, double toe loop combination jump, in competition. In 1997, Elvis again made Canadian history by becoming the first and only man to perform a quadruple toe loop, triple toe loop combination jump, in competition.
Elvis has been involved in a number of shows and tours. Since 1994 Elvis has been a leading skating star for the Tom Collins Tour of World Figure Skating Champions, touring over 50 U.S. Cities each year. From 1994 to 1998 and 2002 Elvis also starred in his own tour across Canada called the Elvis Tour of Champions.
Despite a busy training schedule, skating performances, charity events and product endorsements, Elvis finds time for other interests. He loves riding dirt bikes (he received his first motocross bike for his seventh birthday) and practices kung fu, in which he earned a black belt when he was 16.
In the summer of 1994, Elvis was chosen the first "Kids Ambassador" for Ronald McDonald's Children's Charities. In addition, Elvis has helped a number of other charities, including Parkinsons, The United Way, Variety Village and Sick Children's Hospital. He is a supporter of the Special Olympics and frequently has been a spokesperson for other charities, as well as finding time to coach many of our young figure skaters.
Elvis is also a National Spokesperson for the Think First Foundation of Canada, a charity that is committed to the prevention of spinal cord and brain injuries of young people through education.
The Governor General of Canada, in January of 1996, presented Elvis with one of the highest awards in this country, the Meritorious Service Decoration, which is awarded in recognition of a deed or activity performed in a highly professional manner or of a very high standard that brings benefit or honour to Canada.
Elvis has appeared in a number of professional television skating shows, including a Disney special, Brian Orser's Blame It On The Blues, The Anne Murray Classic
Christmas Special, and many other television productions. In 1994, Elvis performed in his own television special, Elvis Airbourne, aired by Baton Broadcasting Station, which won a Gemini for The Best Sports Series or Program for 1994, beating out such finalists as The Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Lillihammer Olympics. Elvis' most recent skating special was Elvis Incognito, shown in 1997, for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, in which Elvis' performance was nominated as one of the five best performances in a Variety Special.
After winning the Silver Medal in the 1994 Olympic Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway, Elvis won the Gold Medal at the 1994 World Championships in Japan. Elvis won gold medals in two further competitions, namely, Skate Canada and the Nations Cup in 1994. The year 1994 was culminated by Elvis' choice as Canadian Male Athlete of the Year.
In 1995 and 1997, Elvis won again Gold Medals at the 1995 and 1997 World Champions.
In 1998, Elvis won the silver medal at the Nagano Olympics in Japan, notwithstanding a serious groin injury. He was recognized as a national hero by all Canadians as well as all skating fans around the world, for his courage and determination to compete notwithstanding his disability.
In August of 1998, this performance was recognized by the Governor General of Canada in winning the Meritorious Service Cross. The Governor General announced that Elvis has been named the sole recipient of the Governor General's Meritorious Service Cross for outstanding service to Canada. Later this year, he will receive the silver Greek cross in recognition of deed or activity performed in an outstanding professional manner or of an uncommonly high standard that brings considerable benefit or great honour to Canada.
This award recognized the high level of professionalism at the 1998 Nagano Olympic Winter Games despite a painful groin injury.
The citation states "his tremendous courage under such adversity won him a silver medal and demonstrated his indomitable spirit and dedication to the pursuit of excellence".
Also in 1998, Elvis was chosen as the winner of the Gillette World Champion for his on-the-field achievements and his off-the-field humanitarian contributions to the community and his charitable involvements.
On July 1, 1998, Elvis was asked by the CBC to co-host the Canada Day Celebrations in Ottawa. This was a one hour special on the lawn of the Parliament Buildings, and attended by over one hundred thousand patriotic Canadians. Elvis' performance received rave reviews and was the highest rated Canada Day special of all time.
In December, 1998, Elvis starred in the Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas Angel seen on NBC with Dorothy Hamil. More recently, Elvis had a starring role with Michelle Kwan in a Disney Skating Special, which was seen in February of 1999.
In 2000, Elvis won the Gold Medal at the 2000 Canadian Figure Skating Championships and went on to win a further Gold Medal at the ISU Four Continents. He also received a Silver Medal at the 2000 World Figure Skating Championships.
In 2002, Elvis won the Gold Medal at the 2002 Canadian Figure Skating Championships, making him a Seven-Time Canadian Champion. Elvis finished 8th at the Olympic Games and then announced his retirement from amateur figure skating.
Elvis has continued to participate in many skating shows across Canada and the United States. He also joined the cast of Danny DeVito’s ‘Death to Smoochy’ where he doubled for Robin Williams as well as doing some choreography for this movie. Elvis also joined the cast of David Foley’s Christmas Special currently entitled ‘The True Meaning of Christmas Specials’ which will air Christmas, 2002.
Elvis was a commentator for CTV/TSN for the Men’s Figure Skating competitions at the 2003 World Figure Skating Championships in Washington, D.C.
In summary Elvis is a Three-time World Champion, Two-time Olympic Silver Medalist and Seven-Time Canadian Champion. After Elvis’ competitive skating ended, Elvis has been extremely active in performing in many skating shows across Canada and the U.S. Most recently, Elvis embarked on a singing and acting career in which he had a leading role as DJ Vince Fontaine in the stage performance of Grease. He combines athletic talent, character, intelligence and a deep commitment to his continued involvement in many charities and communities. He is considered by most Canadians as a role model and a national hero for his courage and his integrity.
