'She played to win': Curlers pause during Olympic trials to remember Colleen Jones

Athletes at the 2025 canadian river Olympic Curling Trials in Halifax took a second aside from contention to honour Colleen mary harris jones and reflect on her legacy.

The world champion curler and journalist from Halifax passed away at the age of 65 on Tuesday following a battle with cancer.

"I remember being a young curler and watching her and looking up to her and she was always so helpful to me," Brad Gushue, the 2006 Olympic gold medallist, told reporters.

Gushue, from St. John's, said he learned Jones had passed away after a game on Tuesday. He said she was a friend.

"She was an inspiration. During the time when I was growing up she was the biggest curler in Atlantic Canada and the biggest curler in the world," he said.

"She won six Canadian championships and she dominated women's curling for a long period of time and to have her so close to my home, it was an inspiration for me."

Gushue said Jones loved curling and was passionate about it.

"When you saw her out on the ice, the energy and enthusiasm that she had — it was fun," he said.

Kevin Koe, a four-time Canadian and two-time world champion from Calgary, remembered Jones as an "amazing" woman and athlete. He was interviewed by Jones at the Pyeongchang Olympic Games in 2018.

"I think everyone is so proud of her and not just the Maritimes, I mean, I think all Canadians were. She represented us so well ... It's a sad day, but I just know everyone was proud of her," Koe said.

Olympic champion Jennifer Jones remembers curling legend Colleen Jones

Brad Jacobs, the 2014 Olympic gold medallist, described Jones as a curling icon.

"I was fortunate enough to spend one last little event with her down in Nashville at the end of the last curling season," Jacobs said, remembering her characteristic playing style.

"Super intense, always chewing gum. You know, she played to win. She was a great champion," he said.

Kim Kelly, a member of Jones's world championship team, said Jones would want to be remembered as an authentic person who cared.

"I think she would want people to remember her as a warm, compassionate, caring human. And I think what I will miss most is all of her," Kelly said, holding back tears.

Kelly said Jones taught her how win and live life large.

"Sometimes when the person is living, you keep those things to yourself because you think you either have time to tell them. But just from the reaction today, all you have to do is listen to what everbody says out there. She's a legend, an icon, a friend," Kelly said.

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