Speed Skating Canada – Montreal, January 24, 2018 – One week away from the Canadian short track speed skating team’s departure to PyeongChang, South Korea, Speed Skating Canada unveiled on Wednesday its final roster for the 2018 Olympic Games.

On the men’s side, Samuel Girard from Ferland-et-Boilleau, QC, and Charles Hamelin from Sainte-Julie, QC, will be in action in all three individual events, i.e. the 500m, in which only two Canadian athletes will be skating, as well as the 1000m and the 1500m.

Charle Cournoyer from Boucherville, QC, earned the third available spot in the 1000m while Pascal Dion from Montreal, in the Rivière-des-Prairies – Pointe-aux-Trembles borough, QC, did so in the 1500m.

“In all my races, I want to be able to say that I left it all on the ice and that I followed my race plan,” said Charles Hamelin. “If I’m able to do that, that will allow me to earn my best possible results. Whether that translates into a medal, a win or a fourth-place result, if I feel like I gave it my all, I’ll be able to say mission accomplished.”

Heading towards his fourth Olympics, Charles Hamelin also sees himself play a role as a mentor on a team where half the skaters will be skating at their very first Games.

“I think we have a solid team, there’s a good balance and some good chemistry,” said Charles Hamelin. “The fact that there are rookies and veterans will allow for a good level of energy and a great atmosphere throughout the Games. I see my role, as is the case for the other veterans, as that of a leader. If I can help keep that kind of atmosphere going while allowing the team to remain focused, I’ll be able to say mission accomplished.”

On the women’s side, Canada will have the maximum amount of spots, i.e. three per individual event. Kim Boutin from Sherbrooke, QC, and Marianne St-Gelais from Saint-Félicien, QC, will be the busiest skaters, as they will both take part in all three individual events – the 500m, the 1000m and the 1500m.

Valérie Maltais from Saguenay, La Baie borough, QC, will take part in the women’s 1000m and 1500m, while Jamie Macdonald of Fort St. James, B.C., will be in action in the 500m.

“I can’t wait to leave,” said Marianne St-Gelais, who will be taking part in her third Olympic Games. “I’m ready, in fact I’m ready beyond the goals in terms of results that I may have. I did what I set out to do, which was to be ready physically, mentally and emotionally, thanks to a plan that I put into action last year with Fabien Abejean (the team’s sports psychologist) and in spite of everything that happened this season, I’m at the level I need to be at and I’m ready to go.”

All the abovementioned skaters are also part of women’s and men’s relay teams, in addition to Kasandra Bradette from Saint-Félicien, QC, and François Hamelin from Sainte-Julie, QC.

The short track speed skating races at the Olympic Games will be held over five days according to the following schedule:

DAY 1: Saturday, Feb. 10

Final: men’s 1500m

Qualifying: women’s 500m, women’s relay

DAY 2 : Tuesday, Feb. 13

Final: women’s 500m

Qualifying: men’s 1000m, men’s relay

DAY 3: Saturday, Feb. 17

Finals: women’s 1500m, men’s 1000m

DAY 4: Tuesday, Feb. 20

Final: women’s relay

Qualifying: women’s 1000m, men’s 500m

DAY 5: Thursday, Feb. 22

Finals: men’s 500m, women’s 1000m, men’s relay

The Canadian team will aim to improve on its performance of three medals at the 2014 Games and to add on to the total of 28 medals it has won so far in Olympic history since this sport was officially included in the Olympic program at the 1992 Games.

Members of the Canadian short track speed skating team at the 2018 Olympic Games:

WOMEN

-BOUTIN, Kim (Sherbrooke, QC) – 500m, 1000m, 1500m, women’s relay

-BRADETTE, Kasandra (Saint-Félicien, QC) – women’s relay

-MACDONALD, Jamie (Fort St. James, B.C.) – 500m, women’s relay

-MALTAIS, Valérie (Saguenay, La Baie borough, QC) – 1000m, 1500m, women’s relay

-ST-GELAIS, Marianne (Saint-Félicien, QC) – 500m, 1000m, 1500m, women’s relay

MEN

-COURNOYER, Charle (Boucherville, QC) – 1000m, men’s relay

-DION, Pascal (Montréal, Rivière-des-Prairies – Pointe-aux-Trembles borough, QC) – 1500m, men’s relay

-GIRARD, Samuel (Ferland-et-Boilleau, QC) – 500m, 1000m, 1500m, men’s relay

-HAMELIN, Charles (Sainte-Julie, QC) – 500m, 1000m, 1500m, men’s relay

-HAMELIN, François (Sainte-Julie, QC) – men’s relay

 

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

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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 

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