PER ARDUA AD ASTRA! (Translation: Through adversity to the stars)

© Photo by Stephen Potopnyk

In 1995 Elvis pulled ligaments in his ankle. Although he attempted to skate in the Canadian Nationals, he could not complete his short program. No one believed he would be healed enough to skate at the 1995 Worlds. But Elvis was not only ready, he won gold and became the World Champion for the second year in a row. Per Ardua ad Astra!

© Gérard Châtaigneau From Heart and Soul

© Photo by Ed Kaiser

At the 1996 Worlds Elvis fell on his triple axel combination leaving him out of medal contention. The following year despite a 4th place finish after the short program he had an awesome free skate and won gold again, becoming a three-time World Champion! (See History Repeats Itself) Per Ardua ad Astra!

© Photo by Stu Forster

© Canadian Press

At the 1998 Nagano Olympics Elvis skated with a pulled groin muscle and miraculously landed eight triple jumps and won a silver medal. (See A Nagano Hero) Per Ardua ad Astra!

© Canadian Press

© Canadian Press

The 1998-1999 season was a year of recovery from the groin injury sustained during the previous season. Elvis finished out of the medals at the 1999 World Championships. However, during the 1999-2000 season Elvis was fully recovered and he won a silver medal at the 2000 World Championships. Per Ardua ad Astra!

© Photo by Paul Chiasson

Elvis has had a slow start for the 2000-2001 season and has had to withdraw from three Grand Prix events due to tendinitis in his achilles heel. But Elvis has come back from adversity before and no doubt he will do it again this season.

Per Ardua ad Astra, Elvis!

Per ardua ad astra is the motto of the Royal Canadian Air Force Alternate translation: Through toil to the stars

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