The 32-year-old, who was born in Australia, moved to Canada at an early age and was a home hero at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games when she won long track 1,000 metres gold.

This was her second Olympic medal after her silver in the team pursuit at Turin 2006.

Nesbitt's career also included seven gold medals at the World Single Distance Championships.

She also won one gold medal at the Sprint World Championships, in Heerenveen in The Netherlands in 2011.

In 2015, she announced her retirement from the sport after being diagnosed with coeliac disease, a condition affecting the small intestine. 

Nesbitt was regonised at Speed Skating Canada's annual awards reception.

This was held amid the governing body's annual general meeting in Toronto.