Inspired Winter Olympian: Alex Harvey

(photo courtesy of James Cunningham)

Aug 19, 2008

Three-time Canadian junior Nordic skiing champion Alex Harvey, from St. Ferréol, Québec, has a very promising future. A member of the national team since 2007, the 19-year-old made his debut on the World Cup circuit during the 2007-08 season.

In addition to excelling in classic, freestyle and sprint skiing events, Harvey is riding high on the Canadian mountain biking circuit — much like his father Pierre Harvey, a four-time summer (cycling) and winter (cross-country skiing)  Olympian. Both father and son compete in mountain biking with the Vallée de l’Aluminium-Devinci cycling team founded in Saguenay Lac St. Jean region in 2007.

Despite a very busy schedule, Harvey is making a point of following the Beijing Summer Games closely, especially the mountain biking and road cycling events, track and field, and triathlon: “I have a lot of respect for the multidisciplinary athletes,” says Harvey.

Harvey takes a particular interest in endurance events: “I know that when I’m watching an athlete, he’s in pain. This is very inspiring because this is somewhat similar to what happens in Nordic skiing. Even while in pain, the athletes are in full control of their abilities, and I believe that this is an integral part of all endurance sports,” notes Harvey. "During competition, you suffer, but you must continue to ski well technically and persevere. This is part of the game.”

While waiting to be part of the competition at his first Olympic Winter Games in 2010, Harvey can feel his own excitement and thrill of competition building while tracking the achievements of the Canadian team in Beijing. “It’s like seeing your dream come true on TV, except that it’s someone other than yourself who’s playing.”