Olympic cross-country ski champion Beckie Scott named CEO of Nordiq Canada

Beckie Scott has lived many different lives.

She was an Olympic cross-country skiing champion, an athlete representative at the International Olympic Committee, and a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency during the Russian scandal emanating from 2014.

Since 2017, Scott was founder and CEO of Spirit North, a non-profit intended to empower Indigenous youth through sport.

On Monday, the next chapter of her career began. Scott was named CEO of Nordiq Canada, the national sport organization that oversees cross-country and Para Nordic skiing.

"I'm going to be leaning on various aspects of my experience with the last number of years, but I think also holding very close in my heart the value of the power of sport because I've lived it at every level," said Scott, the Vermilion, Alta., native.

"I was a jackrabbit in a small community in northeastern Alberta. I was an Olympic champion. I've lived through that whole spectrum and arc of everything sport is. I'm such a believer in the power of it and what it can do. As individuals and communities, I think that will be my inspiration every day in this job."

First, though, the 50-year-old Scott wants to take a step back and listen.

But even as she enters her new role armed with all kinds of experience, Scott's plan, first and foremost, is to hear from those currently living through it.

"I'm looking forward to going on what I'm calling a listening tour, because Nordiq Canada is an NSO, but it really is embedded in the community. And I have been a part of this community my entire life," she said.

Scott said the opportunity to take over Nordiq Canada came about in November, as her role with Spirit North was winding down.

She was encouraged to apply.

"After thinking about it and just