Canadian long track speed skating team named for PyeongChang 2018
CALGARY (January 10, 2018) — The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Speed Skating Canada officially announced the 19 athletes and four coaches nominated to represent Team Canada in long track speed skating at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
DOWNLOAD: High-resolution team photos for editorial use
Skaters qualified for the team based on Speed Skating Canada’s 2018 Olympic Selection Policies and Processes, their performances in the last year and their results at the 2018 Long Track Team Selections held January 4-9 in Calgary.
The women’s team nominated are:
| Name | Event(s) | Hometown |
| Ivanie Blondin | 3000m, 5000m, Mass Start and Team Pursuit | Ottawa, ON |
| Kali Christ | 1500m and Team Pursuit | Regina, SK |
| Marsha Hudey | 500m | White City, SK |
| Kaylin Irvine | 1000m | Calgary, AB |
| Heather McLean | 500m and 1000m | Winnipeg, MB |
| Josie Morrison | 1500m and Team Pursuit | Kamloops. BC |
| Keri Morrison | Mass Start and Team Pursuit | Burlington, ON |
| Brianne Tutt | 1500m and 3000m | Airdrie, AB |
| Isabelle Weidemann | 3000m, 5000m and Team Pursuit | Ottawa, ON |
The men’s team nominated are:
| Name | Event(s) | Hometown |
| Jordan Belchos | 10,000m and Team Pursuit | Toronto, ON |
| Ted-Jan Bloemen | 5000m, 10,000m and Team Pursuit | Calgary, AB |
| Alex Boisvert-Lacroix | 500m | Sherbrooke, QC |
| Vincent De Haître | 1000m, 1500m and Team Pursuit | Cumberland, ON |
| Ben Donnelly | 1500m and Team Pursuit | Oshawa, ON |
| Laurent Dubreuil | 500m and 1000m | Lévis, QC |
| Olivier Jean | Mass Start | Lachenaie, QC |
| Gilmore Junio | 500m | Calgary, AB |
| Denny Morrison | 1500m and Team Pursuit | Fort St. John, BC |
| Alexandre St-Jean | 1000m | Quebec City, QC |
The coaches nominated are:
| Name | Hometown |
| Kevin Crockett | Kitchener, ON |
| Gregor Jelonek | Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly, QC |
| Marcel Lacroix | Montreal, QC |
| Bart Schouten | Calgary, AB |
Some athletes will compete in one more ISU World Cup event, January 19-21 in Erfurt, Germany, before making their way to PyeongChang. Among the highlights already this season: Ted-Jan Bloemen broke the 5000m world record; Ivanie Blondin won World Cup medals in the 3000m, 5000m and mass start; back-to-back 500m gold medals by Alex Boisvert-Lacroix; and podium finishes for both the men’s and women’s team pursuits.
Long track speed skating is Canada’s most successful sport at the Olympic Winter Games. Since 1924, Canada has won 35 long track medals, including eight golds.
Long track speed skating will take place February 10-14 (Days 1-15) at the Gangneung Oval.
QUOTES:
“This is an outstanding team more than capable of building on Canada’s history of success in long track speed skating. They have trained and competed relentlessly to earn a chance to represent Canada in PyeongChang and I look forward to cheering them on as they complete their journey.”
– Isabelle Charest, PyeongChang 2018 Team Canada Chef de Mission
“Ever since I became a member of the Canadian long track National Team in 2014, I have felt unconditional support from the team. I’m very grateful every day to be part of this team and the progression I could make because of it. Skating as fast as I am this season is already a dream come true for me. It’s a great honour to represent Canada at my first Olympic Games. My goal is to skate my best races and make Canada proud.”
– Ted-Jan Bloemen, PyeongChang 2018 nominated athlete
“At my first Olympic Games, I felt like I was just starting out and you are always mesmerized by the grandeur of the event. I learned a lot from Sochi and now I’m more focused on the process instead of the end results. I’m now looking to pursue the performance I have proved I’m able to deliver in the past few years. I’m focusing on being on the podium at my second Olympic Games.”
– Ivanie Blondin, PyeongChang 2018 nominated athlete
“I am proud to qualify for my first Olympic Games. It’s a joy to finally get here after all the challenges I’ve been through. It would be easy to be satisfied by just booking my ticket to PyeongChang, but I know I’m able to do more. I’ve been steadily improving over the past 3 years and especially in the last few months. I’ve never been in such good shape, clocking new personal best times and winning two gold medals at the World Cups this fall. I’m now looking to be even better in PyeongChang.”
– Alex Boisvert-Lacroix, PyeongChang 2018 nominated athlete
“Since 2014, I’ve had a lot of challenges and I feel grateful to be able to celebrate every little success since then. It’s been a humbling experience after being a medallist at each of my first three Olympic Games, but I’ve taken the steps to get here: getting back on my skates, qualifying for the World Cups, making the time standards for the Olympic Selections and now, qualifying for my fourth Olympic Games. This is great, but with each small step, my goals are progressing and I’m continuing to look forward to the next big steps and furthering my progress yet.”
– Denny Morrison, PyeongChang 2018 nominated athlete
“After seeing these skaters skate this season and perform this past week, I am incredibly proud of this long track speed skating team heading to PyeongChang. Every one of our skaters has worked incredibly hard to qualify for this Olympic Games and I am confident they are ready and capable of continuing Speed Skating Canada’s tradition of excellence and make Canada proud as they pursue the podium next month. Congratulations also to their coaches and the entire team responsible for these skaters.”
– Susan Auch, Chief Executive Officer, Speed Skating Canada
“Our first team announcement was in August for our short track speed skating Olympic Team, now it’s the long track team’s turn. Canada currently has a total of 35 Olympic medals in long track speed skating; in a few weeks, these athletes will be looking to increase this number in PyeongChang. I wish them the best of luck. I’m confident that their hard work and training will pay off and that they will end up on the podium.”
– The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the COC’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations in late January 2018.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kerry Dankers, Long Track Program and Communications Coordinator
Speed Skating Canada
Tel: 403-589-8960
Email: kdankers@speedskating.ca
Patrick Godbout, Communications and Media Relations Manager
Speed Skating Canada
Tel: 514-213-9897
Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca
Josh Su, Coordinator, Communications
Canadian Olympic Committee
Tel: 416-324-4303 / Cell: 647-464-4060
Email: jsu@olympic.ca
Photi Sotiropoulos, Director, Communications and Media Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
Tel: 416-324-4298 / Cell: 416-476-9174
Email: psotiropoulos@olympic.ca