Brooklyn MCDOUGALL (CAN)

Olympian Artist – Painting: Paris 2024

Brooklyn McDougall is a Team Canada long track speed skater from Calgary, Alberta. Brooklyn started speed skating at 15 years old, transitioning from AAA hockey. Since transitioning sports, she attended two Junior World Championships, became 2021 women’s 500m Canadian Champion, made her Olympic debut in 2022, and was crowned women’s Team Sprint World Champion in 2023. Brooklyn is currently training to compete at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Team Canada long track speed skater Brooklyn McDougall competes in the women’s 500m event during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games on Sunday, February 02, 2022. Photo by COC/Handout Dave Holland *MANDATORY CREDIT*

During this time, Brooklyn graduated in June 2021 from the University of Calgary with a BSc in Biological Sciences With Distinction. She worked in stroke research at the Foothills Medical Centre for four years with multiple publications.

Giving back to her community has become a cornerstone of Brooklyn’s identity. Currently, she is an Athlete Mentor for Classroom Champions, a non-profit organization aimed at empowering children to thrive academically, socially and emotionally through the leadership of world-class athletes. Brooklyn is also a Board of Director for the Calgary Booster Club, which dedicates its resources to the next generation of athletes through awards and grant opportunities.

Art has always been a large part of Brooklyn’s life, and she is grateful to have grown up surrounded by amazing artists that have inspired her to create. Her passion for art was ignited by her grandfather and grandmother, who were both multi-media artists. They encouraged her to pursue art throughout school, including Advanced Placement in high school. Brooklyn took some time away from art to complete her degree but reignited her artistic passion when her grandfather passed away in 2019. Since then, art has provided Brooklyn with a creative outlet for her mental health and a great balance with speed skating.

ARTISTIC PROJECT

McDougall’s project The Trailblazers celebrates the stories of the first female Olympic champions of the Olympic Games Paris 1900 – Hélène de Pourtalès, Charlotte Cooper and Margaret Abbott. At what was the second edition of the modern Olympic Games, women were allowed to compete for the first time. However, these three athletes never received proper recognition at the time of their incredible feats. With her paintings and imaginary newspaper articles, McDougall pays tribute to these first female Olympic champions, as we celebrate Paris 2024, the first Games to achieve gender parity.

Artworks by Olympians on view at Palais de Tokyo (Clubhouse) during the Olympic Games Paris 2024

Tuesday, May 22, 1900 Hélène de Pourtalès: The First One. Mixed-media painting on canvas

The First Female Olympic Champion Has Been Officially Crowned Hélène de Pourtalès of Switzerland made history today in the 1-2 ton Sailing event, becoming the first female to compete in the Olympics, as well as the first ever female Olympic Champion. The 32-year-old was one of three crewmembers aboard the yacht Lérina, alongside her husband, Hermann de Pourtalès and their nephew. The first of two regattas began on the River Seine in Meulan, and the 19-kilometer course proved technically challenging. The Lerina persisted and crossed with a winning time of 2:15.32. Hélène de Pourtalès earned the title of ‘the fastest yachting lady’. Her love for sailing traces back to 1887, where Helene remembers eagerly watching the America’s Cup regatta. Despite the backlash women have received for participating in the Olympics, Hélène de Pourtalès rose above this and accomplished the pinnacle of an athlete’s career, an Olympic Gold Medal. Her impact leaves a legacy for future generations of female Olympians. ©Brooklyn McDougall

Hélène de Pourtalès: The First One / Brooklyn McDougall (CAN)

Wednesday, July 11, 1900 Charlotte Cooper: The Golden Racquet. Mixed-media painting on canvas

Deaf Tennis Star Takes the Gold in Women’s Singles Event Charlotte Cooper of Great Britain is Olympic Champion in the Women’s Singles Tennis event, crowning her the first individual female Olympic Champion in history. With her offensive style and being one of the few female tennis players to serve overhead, Cooper defeated French Champion Helene Provost 6-1 and 6-4. No stranger to winning, the 29-year-old also won three Wimbledon titles prior to the Paris 1900 Olympic Games. Her success on the court is nothing short of astounding, as she became completely deaf by the age of 26. Considering that the sound of the ball coming off your opponent’s racquet is integral in recognizing pace, Cooper has proven above and beyond just how dominating she is. This means that not only is she the first individual female Olympic Champion, but she is also the first person with a disability to be crowned Olympic Champion. Charlotte Cooper is a trailblazer in women’s sport, breaking barriers, persevering setbacks, and embodying the Olympic Spirit. ©Brooklyn McDougall

Thursday, October 3, 1900 Margaret Abbott: The Unknowing Champion. Mixed-media painting on canvas

Women’s Golfing Duo Wow the Crowds as Daughter Becomes Olympic Champion Margaret Abbott of the United States of America has become Olympic Champion in Golf, shooting a 47 on the 9-hole course in Compiègne. She attracted a lot of attention on the course, with her classy backswing and fierce competitive spirit. A total of ten women participated – five from the United States, and five from France. One of these women is in fact Margaret Abbott’s mother, Mary Abbott, who finished seventh in the event. This will go down in history as the first mother-daughter duo participating in an Olympic event at the same time. Thanks to her mother, Margaret Abbott found her passion for golf at the Chicago Golf Club, and by 1899, she had a two handicap. Now, she is crowned Olympic Champion. Margaret Abbott is an inspiring role model for all future female athletes, and the epitome of Olympism. ©Brooklyn McDougall

Margaret Abbott: The Unknowing Champion / Brooklyn McDougall (CAN)

"I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to Dr. Paula Welch of the University of Florida, who spent ten years (1973-1983) uncovering the lost story of Margaret Abbott. If it wasn’t for Dr. Welch’s hard work and determination in learning about the unknowing Olympic Champion, Margaret Abbott would never be etched in the history books as one of the first female Olympic Champions. Unfortunately, Abbott never knew she was an Olympic Champion before her death in 1955. However, her legacy lives on thanks to Dr. Paula Welch. " Brooklyn McDougall

Questions and answers

What parallels do you see between the practice of sport and art?

Sport and art have helped me achieve a great balance in my life. I am a perfectionist by nature, and this can be a double-edged sword. At my best, perfectionism expresses my attention to detail and helps me achieve technical cues required in long track speed skating. However, perfectionism also hinders my ability to see how much I have accomplished. Similarly in my art practice, perfectionism withholds me from fully expressing myself. Art has taught me how to release perfectionism, which has improved my art drastically. This has translated into my approach in speed skating and has made me a stronger skater.

How are both of these endeavors important to you?

Sport and art have both been a huge part of my life. Growing up, I played many sports and had the dream of representing my country at the Olympics, specifically in hockey. However, when I was 15 years old, I tried long track speed skating and instantly fell in love with the sport. Representing Canada at the Olympics in 2022 was incredible, and I still have a hard time putting it into words the feeling of accomplishing my childhood dream.
Growing up, I was also always creating art and was encouraged by my grandfather and grandmother to pursue this passion, both of whom were multi-media artists. When I create, I feel closer to my grandparents who have passed away. Art has allowed me to express myself and challenges my creativity.

What does being an Olympian mean? How does it define your approach to life and how you view yourself and the world?

To me, being an Olympian is best expressed by something my mom has always told me; “if you have confidence and believe in yourself, you can achieve anything.” This has guided my approach to life as I strive to be a role model for the next generation. After the 2022 Olympics, I experienced post-Olympic depression. To overcome these emotions, I devoted more time to giving back to my community and supporting the people and organizations that helped me achieve my goal. The Olympic Movement strives to contribute to a peaceful and better world, and I believe all Olympians are an extension of this goal.