Three-time Canadian Olym-pian Gord Fraser, who moved permanently to Tucson in 1997, grew up in Ottawa, Ontario.
The cyclist, 38, who has competed in the Tour de France, has operated a cycling camp here since 2005. We caught up with him for a few questions:
Do you prefer to be called Gordon or Gord?
Gord. Your typical American hasn't heard it. I often say, "Gord — like the vegetable."
What part of Ottawa did you grow up in?
The west end — Napean. I went to Bell High School.
Did growing up in Canada's capital affect your politics?
You are a little more aware of things. My dad worked for civil service in the patent office, so being in a civil service family you are closer to the politics. … (But) I definitely look at Canadian hockey scores before I'd read any essays on Canadian foreign policy.
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What are your favorite growing-up memories?
You have all the seasons, so I was a winter athlete, too. I was a cross country skier. The best skiing was on the Quebec side.
We went to a club called Nakkertok Nordic.
We also skated on the (Rideau) canal in the winter. It is a great, beautiful city with lots to do.
Why did you move to Tucson?
Not many Canadians know a lot about Tucson. But I played high school basketball and I always followed college basketball, so I knew about the University of Arizona and Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott. …
My cousin — Louise Perrault — had thrown javelin for the UA. I stayed with her when I came to Tucson to check it out. Once I got a taste of Tucson, I really enjoyed it. It's a great place to train and it became my home.
What do you miss most about Ottawa?
Friends, family and the emphasis on hockey. Ottawa has an NHL team, the Ottawa Senators. They didn't exist when I lived there. I've been to a few games and I definitely follow them. … I still have a lot of loyalty to Canada.
Which is worse, Ottawa winters or Tucson summers?
Definitely the Ottawa winters. You have such a long transition and a long, deep cold, and then you have springtime but it seems to take forever for everything to melt. I'd much rather have sunny skies and put up with a bit of heat in summer.
Historic bank vault now new Tucson speakeasy
