OLYMPIC MEDALLIST THE HIGHLIGHT FOR ANTI-DRUG EVENT

Two-time Olympic medallist Beckie Scott stands alone on the stage.
Behind her are three large Canadian flags.

This is not the scene of a press conference or medal presentation.
This was a champion bringing a simple yet important message to over
500 students at Clarenville High.

Scott capped off a full day of activities at the school designed to
educate students about the dangers of drugs. The theme of the day-
long event was making choices.

Throughout her career as a cross-country skier Scott has been
outspoken about the issue of performance enhancing drugs in sport.

"I realize that doping in sport and the type of drug use you are
talking about here today are not exactly the same thing but there are
a number of notable parallels and similarities and the most
significant is choice," she told the students.

"When you talk about choice I think you are talking about the choice
to do something that is right or something that has very dire or
negative consequences."

Scott never used any performance enhancing drugs. She relied instead
on hard work and determination.

"It's about courage and facing down your fears and finding the
strength to be yourself to stand up for what you believe in even when
it seems like you are up against some pretty indomitable forces."

Scott recounted her journey from a young girl from Vermilion,
Alberta, to becoming an Olympic champion.

She started cross-country skiing at a young age and at 13 her
parents, knowing she was interested in racing, brought her to the
1988 Calgary Olympics.

"I decided right then and there, more than anything in the world,
that's what I wanted to do; be an Olympic champion."

At the time there had never been a Canadian Olympic champion in cross-
country skiing.

She told the students one of the statements that stuck in her head
from that period came from a coach, `The world belongs to those who
dare.'

"That statement made an impact on me because it was then I realized
no matter what your background or where you come from or who you are,
the people who are successful in life and accomplish their
goals . . . do this because in the beginning they found the courage
to try, to dare."

Ten years after the Calgary Olympics Scott put together one of her
most impressive races and landed on the podium at the Nagano Olympics
with a bronze medal.

However, after the two Russian skiers who placed first and second
used performance enhancing drugs her medal became silver and finally
gold.

The very thing she was so outspoken about -- doping in sport --
landed her atop the Olympic podium.

Scott picked up another silver medal in the 2006 winter Olympics.

She left the students of Clarenville High with an important message
about making choices and how those choices can change your life.

"I chose to stand up for what I believed in and ultimately received
one of the greatest rewards possible for making that decision and
making that choice.

"We are all ordinary people capable of extraordinary things. The
pursuit of your dreams and goals is a process that can be amazingly
challenging, rewarding, full of incredible opportunities and
benefits. Make the right choices, persevere through the obstacles."