Speed Skating Canada – Winnipeg, June 26, 2018 – Two-time Olympian Shannon Rempel from Winnipeg, MB, has decided to move on from speed skating after competing for Canada internationally for the past 18 years and winning a silver medal at the 2006 Olympic Games.

Other than her silver medal in team pursuit at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, with Kristina Groves, Clara Hughes, Cindy Klassen and Christine Nesbitt, Shannon Rempel also won a total of eleven World Cup medals from 2006 to 2009, including two gold, three silver and six bronze. Rempel was also part of the team pursuit team that won the gold at the 2007 ISU World Single Distance Championships in Salt Lake City, USA.

“After taking a season off in 2014 and dealing with injuries, I knew this would be my last season, which gave me the chance to really focus on the process, moments and feelings that I love about skating,” explained Rempel. “I was fortunate enough to be able to return to competitive racing and now, knowing I left everything on the ice, I’m ready to move on to pursue new goals and dreams.”

Shannon Rempel began excelling at speed skating at a very young age and took part in five consecutive ISU World Junior Championships starting at the age of 15 in 1999. She became Overall World Junior Champion in 2003 in Kashiro, Japan and the following year, she took third spot overall in that same competition. She broke three world junior records, and currently still holds the Canadian Junior Record in the 500m at 38.53 seconds, which has stood since 2003. She’s gone on to compete in nine World Sprint Championships and nine World Single Distance Championships.

“Speed skating allowed me to turn my dreams into goals, and goals into reality. It has been an incredible honour and privilege representing Canada over the past 18 years. Sport has been such a big part of my life, and has given me invaluable experiences, lessons, and opportunities that I will always cherish,” added Rempel.

“On behalf of Speed Skating Canada’s members, I would like to thank and congratulate Shannon Rempel for her entire career, including her silver medal in the team pursuit at the 2006 Olympic Games in Turin as well as her competing at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver,” said Speed Skating Canada President, Cathy Priestner Allinger. “Congratulations again and good luck in your next endeavour!”

Shannon Rempel wanted to thank those who helped her most throughout her speed skating career of more than 20 years.

“First, a heartfelt thank you to my family and friends for the unconditional love, support, and encouragement over the many, many years.  In particular my parents, Rick and Shirley, for empowering me and being by my side every step of the way. Thank you for everything; none of this would have been possible without you.”

“To my coaches, teammates, and support staff: thank you for believing in me and pushing me to be the best I could be. You have made an incredible impact on my life and thank you for sharing this journey with me. The community in this sport is one of the reasons I loved skating, so to everyone that makes speed skating so great, thank you.”

Rempel completed her degree in Communications from the University of Calgary in 2017.

“I look forward to spending more time with my friends and family, especially my nephews. I would love to stay involved with sports and I have an opportunity to give back and put my degree in communications and background in fitness training to use,” noted Rempel.

More details are available at Speed Skating Canada’s web site at 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:

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 

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