Barely 17, Debbie burst onto the international track and field stage like a bright comet in 1971 when she was chosen to represent Canada in the Pan-American Games in Cali, Colombia. A relative unknown to the athletic world, she was regarded a long-shot pentathlete at the best, at the Pan-Am Games mainly to gain experience. But gaining experience was not quite what Debbie had in mind – she was in Colombia to do her best. As it turned out, her best was good enough for a gold medal in the most difficult and taxing of all women athletic disciplines. 

     Teenager Van Kiekebelt became an instant star, a status that was confirmed when she was chosen co-winner (along with high jumper Debbie Brill) of Canada’s Female Athlete of the year award for 1971. 

     Later, the Colombia gold weighed heavily in earning Van Kiekebelt a well-deserved place in the Mississauga Sports Hall of Fame for 1977. As an athlete, Debbie was what experts consider “a natural.” She had talent to spare, which already became evident in her school days. Debbie particularly excelled in the jumping events, where she set Canadian age class records.