Speed Skating Canada – Montreal, February 6, 2017 – Speed Skating Canada would like to congratulate its triple Olympic medalist in short track speed skating Isabelle Charest, who was named today Chef de Mission of the Canadian Team for the 2018 Olympic Games, which will be held February 9-25 in PyeongChang, South Korea.

“On behalf of Speed Skating Canada members, I wish to congratulate Isabelle Charest for being named to the prestigious position of Chef de Mission for the Canadian team at the 2018 Olympic Games,” said Speed Skating Canada President Blair Carbert. “It is an honour to see another proud ambassador of our sport perform such duties, as she truly reflects the skills and values of speed skating, on and off the ice. Because of her achievements and abilities, we are convinced that Isabelle Charest will be up to the task and that she will be an inspiration for all members of the Canadian team, including our short track and long track speed skaters. Congratulations!”   

“I would like to congratulate Isabelle Charest for having been named as Chef de Mission of the Canadian Team at the 2018 Olympic Games, added Speed Skating Canada’s Chief Executive Officer, Susan Auch. My short track speed skating career overlapped slightly with Isabelle’s as she entered the team I left for long track. But I watched Isabelle grow to be a leader of the short track team, winning three Olympic medals in three Olympic games. This leadership will be a huge benefit to our teams in every sport leading to Canada’s Olympic success next year in South Korea. We wish Isabelle all the success I’m sure she will achieve in this position.”

The Chef de Mission’s role is to serve as spokesperson for Team Canada and as a mentor to athletes, coaches and staff, and also to create an environment that is conducive to optimal performance at the Games.

Isabelle Charest took part in the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan, and the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City, U.S.A., where she won three medals in the women’s relay : silver in 1994 as well as two bronze medals. She also finished fourth in the 500m at the Salt Lake City Games.

Named Canada’s Female Short Track Skater of the Year from 1995 to 1997, Isabelle Charest broke the 500m world record in 1996 while also winning gold in that distance at the World Championships held that year. She also won a bronze medal in the 1000m and another bronze in overall rankings at those same World Championships.

In March of 1997, she became the first woman to break the 45-second barrier in the 500m distance, setting the world record at 44.867 seconds, a mark that would hold for a year and a half. Charest won three world titles in the 3000m relay (1993, 1994, 1997) as well as two bronze medals at the World Championships (1995, 2000).

Isabelle Charest was inducted into Speed Skating Canada’s Hall of Fame in 1997. She served as Team Canada’s Chef de Mission at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer and as Assistant Chef de Mission at the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio.

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, 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