In Their Words: François-Louis Tremblay
Feb 14, 2008
Canadian short track speed skater François-Louis Tremblay of Alma, Quebec was the World Junior Champion in 1998. Now with many World Cup medals in his collection, Tremblay has become a valuable veteran of the Canadian national team for the last 10 years.
In Olympic competition, he won two silver medals at the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games (500 metre and relay) and was also a member of the Canadian short track relay team that struck gold at the Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games in 2002.
Brief but Unforgettable Moments by François-Louis Tremblay
The Olympic Games touch people from every country and represent national pride around the world. Their fame is well‑established. Every athlete who participates has the same goal in mind: give the best performance possible when competing against the best athletes in their sport.
In addition to athletic performances that can change the lives of competitors, the Games are also an opportunity for non‑competitive experiences that can be just as remarkable as being on the podium.
When I qualified to participate in my first Olympic Games in Salt Lake City in 2002, I did not really know what to expect. Of course, athletes I knew who had already participated in the Olympic Games gave great descriptions of the various aspects. I was excited to experience it for myself.
I was nervous and excited to meet some of the best athletes in their sports. I remember meeting several hockey players like Mario Lemieux and Joe Sakic. I even had the opportunity to wish good luck to a Polish ski jumper I recognized from television. Elvis Stojko even came into the speed skating team’s room to try on a short‑track uniform as a joke.
I remembered back to receiving an Edmonton Oilers jersey when I was four-years-old. I wore it so much that the crest on the front was falling off. It almost goes without saying that the team captain at the time, Wayne Gretzky, was a childhood idol of mine. The effect that a role model can have on a child is incredible. These individuals show the way and motivate an entire career. An encounter at those Games greatly touched me and I will always remember it.
One morning, a few minutes before taking the bus to the training site, I was waiting for the rest of the team in the foyer of the Canadian residence. I was not alone waiting there and had not paid attention to who else was there. Then someone asked me, “How is the short track training going?”
I turned around and realized that the person asking the question was none other than Wayne Gretzky. Imagine! My first childhood idol was asking how my training was going. I did my best not to seem overly nervous, but I cannot deny that I was very impressed. We talked for a few minutes until my teammates arrived to go train. I will always remember how friendly he was. The meeting was brief, but unforgettable.
At the end of those Games, I had a gold medal around my neck from the 5,000-metre relay. I returned home happy and enriched by my memorable encounters.
In Their Words Series
In Their Words is a celebration of the two-year countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. This 17-part series is comprised of personal stories written by Olympians and leaders with a passion for the Games. Visit vancouver2010.com every day from February 12 to 28 for a fresh story of inspiration, triumph and hope.
In TheirWords: Kristi Richards
InTheir Words:François-Louis Tremblay
InTheir Words:Dominique Maltais
InTheir Words:Johann Olav Koss
Vancouver 2010 News
