Amanda Ammar

Biography

At Sochi 2014 Amanda Ammar returned to the Olympic Winter Games for the first time since she made her debut at Turin 2006 as the youngest member of the Canadian cross-country skiing team at age 20.

Ammar has yet to compete at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. She appeared at three straight editions of the World Junior Championships in 2004, 2005 and 2006, earning her best results less than a month before her Olympic debut when she finished sixth in the 5km classic and seventh in the 10km pursuit. Ammar went on to compete at three straight World Under-23 Championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Ammar does have World Cup experience but has competed primarily on the Nor-Am Cup circuit in recent years. She took an extended period of time away from the sport, not competing between December 2009 and December 2011. During the summer of 2013 she dealt with foot pain caused by Morton’s neuroma, a nerve injury between the toes.

Getting to know…

Getting into the Sport: Started skiing at age one and began racing when she was eight… In grade one drew a picture of her skiing with the Olympic rings in the background… When she was young her parents would wake her up at midnight and they would ski under a full moon without a need for headlamps… Outside Interests: Enjoys paddleboarding and going on outdoor adventures… Likes to do wine tastings when she visits her parents in the Okanagan Valley… Works as a receptionist at Rocky Mountain Rehab and Sports Medicine… Has her own housecleaning company called Canmore Green Ninja Clean that only uses green products… Odds and Ends: Inspired by Italian 10-time Olympic medallist Stefania Belmondo, who is the same height, but small and fierce… Favourite Olympic moment is Belmondo coming from behind to win the 15km free event at Salt Lake City 2002 after her pole broke… Favourite quote: “Ninjas don’t wish upon stars, they throw them!” – Jarius Raphel…