Roger will be the first Canadian to compete at the FISU World University Championship event
TORONTO / OTTAWA – Antoine Roger, an economics student from Université Laval, was announced Friday as Canada’s representative at the 2020 FISU World University Speed Skating Championship.
Originally from Quebec City, Roger is set to compete in four events, including the men’s 500m, 1000m, 1500m, and mass start. His previous international experience includes a fourth-place finish in the team sprint event at the 2016 ISU World Junior Championships in Changchun, China. His junior career also features one silver and one bronze medal at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in the 1,500m and mass start events, respectively.
Roger also competes at various national-level competitions, include Canadian Championships and Canada Cups, as well as on the Olympic Oval circuit.
“The ability to excel both in the classroom and on the ice is a special skill and one that Antoine has demonstrated well these past few years while skating and attending classes at Université Laval,” said Cathy Tong, Manager, High Performance (Long Track) at Speed Skating Canada. “We wish him the best of luck on the international stage in Amsterdam; we know he’ll represent the Canadian speed skating community, along with all other high performance student-athletes, with pride.”
Canada has a rich history in university-level short track speed skating, winning a combined 41 medals (eight gold, 18 silver, 15 bronze)at the FISU Winter World University Games since the sport made its debut in 1985.
Roger will be the first Canadian to participate in FISU speed skating since the 2015 World University Games. He will also be the first Canadian to compete at the FISU World University Championship event, which is holding its fifth edition this year in Amsterdam from Mar. 9-13. Livestreaming is available on FISU.TV.
2020 FISU World University Speed Skating Championship Schedule
- Mar. 9: Opening Ceremony, 3:30pm EST
- Mar. 10: Men’s 500m, 10:20am EST
- Mar. 11: Men’s 1500m, 9:00am EST
- Mar. 12: Men’s 1000m, 10:20am EST
- Mar. 13: Men’s Mass Start, 9:30am EST
- Mar. 13: Closing Ceremony, 3:00pm EST
ABOUT SPEED SKATING CANADA
Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, SSC is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial associations. Together, we aim to: Challenge and inspire Canada to thrive through the power of speed skating. SSC celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932 and recognizes the coaches, officials, volunteers and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey.
ABOUT U SPORTS
U SPORTS is the national brand for university sports in Canada. Every year, over 20,000 student-athletes and 900 coaches from 56 universities vie for 21 national championships in 12 different sports. U SPORTS also provides higher performance international opportunities for Canadian student-athletes at Winter and Summer Universiades, as well as numerous World University Championships.
MEDIA CONTACT
Alain Brouillette
Speed Skating Canada
communications@speedskating.ca
613-601-2630
Alan Hudes
U SPORTS
ahudes@usports.ca
905-508-3000 ext. 242