The 2025 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials in Halifax were momentarily paused Tuesday as the curling community mourned the loss of colleen Jones, a six-time Canadian champion and world champion, who died at age 65 following a battle with cancer. Beyond her celebrated athletic achievements, Jones was also a well-known voice to Canadian audiences, serving as a respected curling analyst for CBC Sports for many years. The news prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow athletes and admirers, reflecting her lasting impact on and off the ice.
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The 2025 Canadian Olympic Curling Trials in Halifax paused for a moment of reflection as athletes honored the legacy of Colleen Jones, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 65 following a battle with cancer.
Jones, a world champion curler and respected journalist, left an indelible mark on the sport and the Halifax community. The news of her passing resonated deeply throughout the curling world, prompting tributes from fellow athletes and admirers.
“I remember being a young curler and watching her and looking up to her, and she was always so helpful to me,” said Brad Gushue, the 2006 Olympic gold medallist, to reporters.
Gushue, representing St. John’s, learned of Jones’s death after a game on Tuesday, describing her as a friend and a significant influence.
“She was an inspiration. When I was growing up, she was the biggest curler in Atlantic Canada and the biggest curler in the world,” he added. “She won six Canadian championships and dominated women’s curling for a long period of time, and to have her so close to my home, it was an inspiration for me.”
Gushue emphasized Jones’s passion for the game. “When you saw her out on the ice, the energy and enthusiasm that she had – it was fun,” he said.
Kevin Koe, a four-time Canadian and two-time world champion from Calgary, remembered Jones as an “amazing” woman and athlete. He recalled being interviewed by her at the Pyeongchang Olympic Games in 2018.
“I think everyone is so proud of her, and not just the Maritimes, I mean, I think all Canadians were. She represented us so well… it’s a sad day, but I just know everyone was proud of her,” Koe said.
Jennifer Jones, who won gold as skip of Canada’s women’s curling team at the 2014 Olympics, looks back at the contributions her namesake and friend Colleen Jones made to the sport, following the news of Colleen’s death at age 65.
Brad Jacobs, the 2014 Olympic gold medallist, hailed Jones as a curling icon.
“I was fortunate enough to spend one last little event with her down in Nashville at the end of the last curling season,” Jacobs said, recalling her signature playing style.
“Super intense, always chewing gum. You know, she played to win. She was a great champion,” he said.
Friends, family and teammates reflect on the life and legacy of Canadian curling legend and longtime CBC reporter Colleen Jones, who died Tuesday from breast cancer. She was 65.
Kim Kelly, a member of Jones’s world championship team, said Jones would want to be remembered as a genuine and caring person.
“I think she would want people to remember her as a warm, compassionate, caring human. And I think what I will miss most is all of her,” Kelly said, visibly emotional.
Kelly added that Jones taught her how to win and embrace life fully. “Sometimes when the person is living, you keep those things to yourself because you think you either have time to tell them. But just from the reaction today, all you have to do is listen to what everybody says out there. She’s a legend, an icon, a friend,” Kelly said.
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