Speed Skating Canada – Montreal, January 25, 2018 – Short track speed skater Guillaume Bastille, from Rivière-du-Loup, QC, who contribued to Canada’s gold medal in the men’s relay at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, announced on Thursday that he was retiring.

A member of the senior national team since 2007, Guillaume Bastille won over 30 medals on the ISU World Cup circuit in addition to representing his country at five World Championships. In this latter competition in 2012, he took sixth place in the 500m as well as in the 1000m, in addition to winning gold in the relay. He also lined up for Canada at the 2008 University Games, where he collected silver in the 1000m and the relay, and at these same Games in 2014, where he picked up bronze in the 1000m and silver in the relay. At the World Junior Championships in 2005, the skater who is now 32 years old won bronze in the relay in addition to finishing fourth in the 1000m.

“My goal was to skate at the Olympic Games in South Korea, but after everything that happened at the 2018 Short Track Team Selections, as I came down with a virus at the start of the competition and suffered a concussion on the third day, I wasn’t able to reach my ultimate goal”, Guillaume Bastille explained.

“Looking back, I’m proud to have been able to come back among the best skaters in Canada following my shoulder operation, which forced me to miss the entire 2015-2016 season. I leave competitive skating with my head held high, my integrity intact and after having given it everything I had during all those years at the National Training Centre.”

“On behalf of Speed Skating Canada members, I would like to congratulate Guillaume Bastille for his career,” said Speed Skating Canada”s Chief Executive Officer Susan Auch. “Fans will especially remember the contribution of Guillaume Bastille to the gold medal in the men’s relay at the 2010 Olympic Games at home, in Vancouver, an historical event still engraved in the memory of Canadians, that included the famous cobra strategy. Congratulations again and thank you!”

Among Guillaume Bastille’s best memories throughout his career are skating at home at the Vancouver Olympic Games.

“Whether we talk about the intensity of the Olympic selections, the atmosphere on the team throughout the entire season of Olympic qualifying or even my disappointing results on a personal basis in the 1500m during the 2009-2010 season, there is no doubt that my most memorable moments have to do with the 2010 Olympic Games.”

“I also have fond memories of my first World Cup, which was held in Quebec City in February of 2008, as well as of all the other World Cup stages held on Quebec soil in front of a partisan crowd.”

The athlete who has a master’s degree in Earth Science and who presently works at Golder Associates, an environmental consulting firm, also took advantage of the opportunity to thank some people.

“My career has had ups and downs, but I’ve always had the unconditional support of my family and people who are important to me, in addition to having the chance to be part of the Premier Tech team. I also wish to thank the Rivière-du-Loup Speed Skating Club, Mr. François Gougoux and Mr. Steven Gough, who’ve all contribued to my development as an athlete, but also helped me to become the person that I am today.”

“I now wish the Canadian team all the luck in the world for the Games in South Korea, which are already knocking at the door, and I also wish the best of luck to Speed Skating Canada in the future.”

More information is available at Speed Skating Canada’s website: www.speedskating.ca.

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. Speed Skating Canada is committed to Challenge and Inspire Canada to Thrive through the power of Speed Skating. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey. www.speedskating.ca

Speed Skating Canada would like to thank its sponsors: 

Premium partner: Intact Insurance

Funding partners: Government of Canada (Sport Canada), Own The Podium, Canadian Olympic Committee

Official On-Ice High Performance Apparel: Li-Ning

Long Track Team Sponsor: KIA

Official Suppliers: Auclair, USANA

Official Technical Equipment Supplier: Nagano Skate

Sport Development Partners: Winsport Canada, Calgary’s Olympic Oval, University of Calgary, Institut national du sport du Québec, Government of Quebec, Canadian Sport Institute-Calgary, City of Montreal, Quebec City, Excellence sportive Québec-Lévis

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For information:

Patrick Godbout

Communications & Media Relations Manager

Speed Skating Canada

Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca

Phone: 514 213-9897

Website: www.speedskating.ca 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC