OTTAWA, ONTARIO – The Canadian and Quebecois speed skating community lost one of its most influential figures last week, as Dr. Jean Grenier sadly passed away at the age of 88. Involved in amateur sport for over 40 years, he is one of the greats of Quebec, Canadian and international speed skating.
After founding the Sainte-Foy Speed Skating Club in 1969, he helped create the Quebec Speed Skating Federation two years later and became its first president. He eventually moved onto the national federation, serving as president of Speed Skating Canada in 1976 and 1977.
Grenier also held several positions with the Canadian Olympic Committee between 1976 and 1993, including as director (1976–1981), vice-president (1981–1989), and secretary-treasurer (1989–1993). He was also appointed assistant chef de mission for the Canadian team at Sarajevo 1984, chef de mission for the Canadian Olympic team at Calgary 1988, and executive vice-president for the Quebec City’s 2002 Olympic hosting bid.
His impact on speed skating is felt through the numerous projects in which he was involved, including the construction of a refrigerated oval in Sainte-Foy and the development of an indoor oval in Calgary, which would eventually become the Olympic Oval. Considered one of the fathers of short track speed skating, his greatest contribution is undoubtedly the development of this discipline at the international level.
An influential Canadian representative within the International Skating Union (ISU), Grenier was one of the first members of the ISU Short Track Technical Committee, where he played a crucial role in the presentation of short track as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. Officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee the following year, the sport was officially added to the Olympic program for Albertville 1992.
Grenier has received numerous accolades over the decades, including induction into the Speed Skating Canada Hall of Fame (1991), Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (1992), the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame (1995), the Temple de la renommée de Patinage de vitesse Québec (1997) and the Panthéon des sports du Québec (1998). The International Olympic Committee bestowed upon him the Olympic Order in 1998, and he also received the Canadian Olympic Order ahead of Vancouver 2010.
He was the father of five children, all of whom competed in speed skating, including two Olympians – Natalie in long track at Sarajevo 1984 and Calgary 1988, and Louis in short track at Calgary 1988. Although his involvement in the sport slowed in recent years, his legacy lives on through the Jean Grenier Award. Created in 1999, this annual award is presented to a volunteer or administrator who has made invaluable contributions to the betterment of speed skating in Canada.
Grenier clearly made a mark on the history of speed skating and will be missed by his sport and all those involved. Speed Skating Canada and Patinage de vitesse Québec offer their condolences to Mr. Grenier’s family and loved ones and thank him for his remarkable and unique legacy.
Media Contact
Alain Brouillette
Speed Skating Canada
communications@speedskating.ca
613-601-2630