Speed Skating Canada – Calgary, February 4, 2016 – 2010 Olympic Canadian Short Track speed skating silver medalist who switched to long track following the 2014 Olympic Games, Jessica Gregg of Edmonton, AB, announces her retirement.

Gregg, 27, took part in two Olympic Games and won a silver medal in the women’s Short Track relay event at the 2010 Olympic Games. She also went to Sochi, in Russia, in 2014, as an alternate for the relay event.

Following the 2014 Olympic Games, the sister of Jamie Gregg, also newly retired, decided to follow her brother’s footsteps by switching over to long track. During her first season, Jessica Gregg won three silver medals in the 500m and in the 1000m at the 2015 Canadian Single Distance Championships while qualifying for the World Single Distance Championships.

“I have had an incredible time competing and travelling all over the world for speed skating, so the decision to retire was not an easy one to make”, said Jessica Gregg. “I enjoyed racing long track for the last two seasons, however I feel that it is the right time to pursue other interests. I am ready for the next chapter of my life. I can look back feeling very proud of my accomplishments and grateful for the opportunities that I have had through the sport of speed skating.”

“On behalf of Speed Skating Canada’s community, I would like to thank and congratulate Jessica Gregg for her successes and her contribution to our sport”, said Speed Skating Canada’s president, Jim Allison. “Through her career, she showed all her talent by having great results on short and long track. She’s also a part of Canadian Olympic history by contributing to the silver medal in the women’s relay event at the 2010 Olympic Games. She was an athlete appreciated by everyone with her personality. Congratulations again and good luck in your next endeavour!”

Aside from her Olympic medal, Gregg won a bronze medal in the 500m at the 2009 World Championships, as well as three silver medals and one bronze in the relay events held at various World Championships during her career. On the World Cup circuit, she earned four gold, five silver and 12 bronze medals, as well as one silver and one bronze medal at the World Team Championships, which do not exist anymore.

“One of the highlights of my career was competing at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and standing on the podium with my teammates in front of friends and family,” she said.

Jessica Gregg took the opportunity to thank the great number of people who helped her have so much success throughout her career.

“I could not have made it through this journey alone and I have a lot of people to thank for that. First, I would like to thank my family for their unconditional love and support. My parents were there every step of the way, whether it was driving me to 6 am practices or flying overseas just for the weekend to cheer me on. My mom and dad’s passion for sport inspired me from an early age and I couldn’t have asked for better role models. Thanks to my siblings Jamie, Ryan, and Sarah as well as my boyfriend Jordan for their encouragement and sharing this journey with me.”

“I would also like to thank my coach Jonathon Cavar. Without him, I would not have had the success I had in short track. Thank you for motivating and supporting me over those eight years! Thank you to my other coaches Yvon De Blois, Mike Crowe and Kevin Crockett, as well as all my short track and long track teammates over the years and to all the support staff I have travelled and worked with. There are way too many people to name, but you all made a huge difference and I appreciate it!”

“Finally, A huge thank you to my Uncle Gary and Gregg Distributors for the support throughout my career. I could not have accomplished my goals without your continued support. Thank you also to Speed Skating Canada, Alberta Amateur Speed Skating Association, Edmonton Speed Skating Association, Oakley, Fitness Table Calgary, Canadian Sport Institute Calgary, Podium Alberta, the Canadian Olympic Committee, Sport Canada, Own the Podium and CAN Fund, as well as Intact Insurance for continually supporting the sport of speed skating.”

Jessica Gregg completed a degree in kinesiology at the University of Calgary and will now finish her degree in education to start working as a teacher soon after.

“I look forward to giving back to the speed skating community and cheering on all the athletes in the years to come,” she added.

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 competitive long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, the association is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial branches representing more than 14,000 individual members, and counting. SSC believes that sport is an apprenticeship for life and prizes respect for others, integrity, excellence of effort, as well as a safe, healthy environment. 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.

SSC is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values including our premium sponsors Intact Insurance and Samsung, as well as our funding partners, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, and WinSport Canada.

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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 

 

Kerry Dankers
Long Track Program and Communications Coordinator
Speed Skating Canada
Email: kdankers@speedskating.ca
Phone: 403-589-8960
Website: www.speedskating.ca  
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC