Former Olympian turned broadcaster Karin Larsen has another accolade to add to her list of already impressive accomplishments.
Douglas College has announced it is naming Larsen as a 2024 Honorary Fellow.
“The success Larsen has achieved in multiple areas exemplifies the adaptability, resilience and leadership that we encourage our students to develop," Douglas College President Kathy Denton said in a news release.
"Her exceptional contributions in both sports and media serve as an inspiration to our community and beyond. It is our privilege to recognize her life’s work by awarding her the title of Honorary Fellow.”
Larsen was born in New Westminster, raised in Coquitlam and earned a communications degree at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby.
Journalist and Olympian Karin Larsen was awarded Douglas College’s highest honour, Honorary Fellow, today at a graduation ceremony. Read more about her accomplishments in sports and media: https://t.co/k4hncVv5IM@CBCLarsen@BCSportsHall @BC_Athletics @AthleticsCanada pic.twitter.com/l4LJPg4gZX
— Douglas College (@douglascollege) June 19, 2024
As an athlete, she won gold for Canada in the artistic swimming team routine event at the 1986 World Aquatics Championships in Madrid, Spain, and served as an alternate for Canada's gold medal-winning pairs at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.
She transitioned to broadcasting in 1988, becoming a part-time weekend sports researcher at CBC Vancouver.
Larsen has since covered 12 Olympic and five Paralympic games.
Douglas College says the distinction of Honorary Fellow recognizes outstanding achievement or distinguished service by an individual on a local, national or global scale.
Past Honorary Fellow recipients include Rick Hansen, Marcus Youssef and Mebrat Beyene.
“When I started my career in journalism, sports media had a narrow focus on professional men’s sports,” Larsen added.
“Coming from women’s sports, I wanted to bring more focus to the achievements of girls and women in the local Vancouver sports scene. As women’s sports broadcasting increases in visibility every year, I am proud to have contributed to creating a more representative media landscape.”
