Ottawa, ON – [February 20, 2025] – Gymnastics Canada (GymCan) is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Cirque du Soleil, bringing together two organizations that celebrate movement, creativity, and human potential. This collaboration will unlock thrilling opportunities for gymnasts and coaches alike, fostering career development, artistic expression, and innovation within the gymnastics community.
Gymnastics and Cirque du Soleil share a common foundation—extraordinary athleticism, dedication, and a passion for pushing the limits of human capability. This partnership creates a bridge for gymnasts looking to take their skills to new heights, offering a unique avenue to transition into the world of performing arts. Through collaborative workshops, artistic development, and career transition initiatives, gymnasts will be able to reimagine their futures and find new ways to shine on a global stage.
In addition to athlete career pathways, this collaboration will provide invaluable resources for gymnastics coaches, offering knowledge-sharing opportunities that enhance coaching methodologies. By integrating Cirque du Soleil’s expertise in artistic performance and human movement, gymnastics coaches will gain new tools to inspire and elevate their athletes’ training. Educational exchanges, workshops, and mentorship initiatives will support the development of innovative coaching techniques, blending technical precision with creative expression.
“This is a valuable partnership for our gymnastics community,” said Michael Downey, Interim CEO of Gymnastics Canada. “Many gymnasts dream of a future where they can continue performing beyond competition, and Cirque du Soleil provides an incredible stage for that dream to become reality. At the same time, our coaches will have access to unparalleled expertise in performance and movement, helping to shape the next generation of gymnasts.”
“This collaboration between Gymnastics Canada and Cirque du Soleil marks a significant step in the development of the athletes and artists of tomorrow,” said André Lachance, Senior Director, Casting & Artists Contract Management at Cirque du Soleil. “By combining our expertise, we are opening new doors for gymnasts who wish to explore the world of performing arts while pushing the boundaries of artistic and acrobatic excellence. We are thrilled to contribute to this bridge between sports and the circus arts.”
This partnership is more than just a collaboration—it’s an invitation for gymnasts, coaches, and the broader gymnastics community to envision new possibilities. Whether through hands-on workshops or artistic mentorship, this initiative represents a powerful synergy between sport and performance.
About Gymnastics Canada
First established in 1969, Gymnastics Canada has been supporting the mastery of movement in Canada for five decades as the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in Canada. We work closely with the twelve provincial federations and 700 local clubs to provide a broad range of programs and services to meet the needs of all participants. From athlete development to coach and judge education, Gymnastics Canada sets the operating standards and practices for the sport in Canada. Our mandate is to promote and provide positive and diverse gymnastics experiences through the delivery of quality and safe gymnastics programming. Visit www.gymcan.org for more information. From here, we soar.
About Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is a world leader in live entertainment. Building on four decades of pushing the boundaries of the imagination, the artistic entertainment company brings its creative approach to a large variety of artistic forms such as live shows, multimedia productions, long-form content, music, immersive experiences, and special events. Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group celebrates 40 years of defying reality, defining entertainment, and illuminating the world through art and creativity. Since its creation in 1984, more than 400 million people have been inspired on 6 continents and 86 countries. The Canadian company now employs more than 4000 employees, including 1200 artists from more than 80 different nationalities. For more information about Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, please visit www.cirquedusoleil.com.
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For more information, contact:
Katia Perin
Manager, Communications & Marketing
Gymnastics Canada
comms@gymcan.org
Marc-Etienne Nolin
Manager Public Relations
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
Marc-etienne.nolin@cirquedusoleil.com