Doug and Diane Clement, Olympic runners in the 1950's, founded the Achilles Track and Field Society (Achilles) in 1964 to offer BC and Canadian athletes the chance to improve their performance by competing against the best in the world at an international track meet each year. After 57 years, the Clements’ stepped down from their leadership roles at Achilles.
Achilles decided to honour them and create a lasting family legacy by launching The Doug and Diane Clement Scholarship Fund. Scholarships will be awarded to university and college students who demonstrate excellence in athletics coupled with a record of community service and/or study in a discipline that contributes to fitness and healthy living.
In the initial secret fundraising phase, more than 100 Achilles volunteers, athletes, colleagues and organizations donated and committed more than $250,000. The Fund has moved to a second public phase to build the amount of the scholarships available each year.
Doug and Diane founded the Vancouver Sun Run in 1984 and in 2019 the Rainforest Trail Run in Burnaby. They have been awarded the Order of Canada and are in multiple sport Halls of Fame. Doug was a doctor, UBC professor, coach and hugely influential in the development of the sports medicine practice in Canada. Diane was a coach, the first female president of Athletics Canada, a chef and has published eight best-selling cookbooks focused on healthy eating.