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Hawker had been training in Florida with Richard Callaghan. (Getty Images)

By Laurie Nealin, special to icenetwork.com

(06/23/2008) - Lesley Hawker has put her Olympic dream on the shelf, but the woman who defied the odds to compete among the sport's elite feels only gratitude for the memories accumulated on her unlikely journey.

Hawker, 27, decided earlier this month to detour from the Olympic path she previously had vowed to travel through 2010 and retire from competition.

In an exclusive interview with icenetwork.com, the much-respected Canadian athlete with the infectious smile reflected on her career and talked about new challenges ahead.

"I was ready to move on. I have some big life things happening. I decided I wanted to leave the ice knowing I had done my absolute best and I thought there was no better way after my long program skate at nationals," said Hawker, recalling the roaring standing ovation she enjoyed for her impressive finale at the 2008 Canadian Championships at the 2010 Olympic venue in Vancouver.

"My husband is going to school in Florida and I am going to be coaching there at the Incredible Ice Rink (in Coral Springs) with Mr. Callaghan," Hawker explained, referring to the veteran coach who molded her into a contender on the national scene.

Hawker, the eldest among a family of 10 children, did not even qualify for the Canadian Championships until she was 20 years old. At the age at which many female figure skaters are winding down their competitive careers, Hawker was just revving up under the direction of Doug and Michelle Leigh in Barrie, Ontario.

Hawker placed ninth in her nationals debut in 2002 and slowly climbed the ladder to sixth, then fifth, all the while working full-time as a waitress to pay for training. She finally landed on the podium in 2006. Hers was a story that warmed even the most cynical hearts.

At the 2008 Canadians, Hawker's freeskate -- ranked second-best of the day behind Joannie Rochette -- was preceded by a shaky short program which ultimately kept her out of the medals and off the world championship team.

Despite earning bronze medals the previous two years, Hawker never got the chance to compete at the world championships as Canada has been stalled at two women's entries for the global meet.

"Mr. Callaghan always said that the only thing you can control is what you do," Hawker responded. "I never made it to worlds or Olympics, but I did everything possible to get there and I had some great skates along the way. What's not to be satisfied with?"

The fact that she never competed on figure skatings biggest stage, however, did nothing to diminish her popularity with Canadian fans. They cheered her unflagging determination, her graciousness and her humility, every step of the way.

"I was fortunate I really had a connection with the audience. Every time I skated, the audience saw everything I had to give, so I appreciated it," said Hawker, who financed her training on her own beginning at age 16.

"I've had a great career. I've done everything that I wanted to and I was an alternate for the (2006) Olympics and I gave it everything I had to make it to the Olympics, so I really have no regrets.

"When I look back over my career, I have so many things I'll always remember, but that short program (at her first Canadians) that I skated in Hamilton is probably close to the top. I skated a clean short and I had never been to nationals before. It was huge for me just to be there."

Among the other highlights, Hawker said winning the bronze medal at the 2003 World University Games stands out. "I skated great and was the first Canadian to win a medal at that event. My grandmother died on the Monday just after I got back from nationals and I was to leave for Italy on Tuesday. I decided to go because my grandmother would have been so mad if I had missed the event to stay for her funeral."

Hawker, whose best ISU event result was a fourth place at the 2006 Four Continents, said nothing compared to competing at the Canadian Championships. "All the fans who watch nationals have just responded to my skating so incredibly. It was just awesome.

"When I skate, I'm so into the performance and the music that I don't really hear too much ... To come out of that bubble and realize there are however many thousands of people standing up, it gives me goose bumps even thinking about it. I cannot believe how much love everyone gives."

While her researcher husband pursues his advanced studies, Hawker is hoping to perform in some ice shows and to do some choreography and coaching in Canada as well as Florida. Getting into sports broadcasting is also on her wish list.

"There's so many things I'd like to do," Hawker said, allowing she might even get serious about her golf game, especially since the couple's new apartment in Florida overlooks a golf course.