COC celebrates the team behind the team with 100 days to go to Santiago 2023
TORONTO (July 12, 2023) – With 100 days to go until the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games Opening Ceremony, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) announced five key members of its Mission Team who will support Team Canada.
- Eric Radford, OLY and Jacqueline Simoneau, OLY – Athlete Service Officers
- Lisa Hoffart – Mental Health Lead
- Dr. Suzanne Leclerc – Chief Doctor
- Evelyne Telmosse – Performance Dietician
“Core to the COC’s operational approach to Games is our commitment to providing holistic support for the entire Team Canada delegation, which means taking care of the team’s mental and physical health,” said Eric Myles, COC Chief Sport Officer. “After a rigorous selection process, we are so proud of the composition of the entire Mission Team, and are confident that we are providing the best possible performance environment and support for Team Canada in Santiago.”
In their roles as Athlete Service Officers, Radford and Simoneau will act as mentors and advisors helping to support athletes in meeting the challenges of performing at the Games, while working to maintain a positive and welcoming experience for the entire Canadian delegation.
Radford is a three-time Olympic medallist who competed at the Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in figure skating. He captured bronze in pairs with partner Meagan Duhamel at PyeongChang 2018, and helped Team Canada to Sochi 2014 team silver and PyeongChang 2018 team gold. Radford continues to give back to sport while serving as a delegate on the International Skating Union (ISU)’s Council, and as Chair of the ISU Athletes’ Commission.
“I am excited and honoured for the opportunity to be an Athlete Service Officer at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago,” said Radford. “To use my experience in a brand new dimension and to support our Canadian team will be a highlight for me. I’m especially happy to be a part of the ‘team behind the team’ and gain new perspective and insight while cheering all of the athletes to their best performances.”
Simoneau, a two-time Olympian in artistic swimming, competed at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. She was an integral part of Team Canada’s four Pan American Games gold medals, winning the duet and team events at both Lima 2019 and Toronto 2015. Simoneau recently participated as a delegate of the International Olympic Academy Young Olympic Ambassador Session, and is working on a project as an IOC Young Leader to develop a platform to promote proactive health and wellness. She is also an IOC Believe in Sport Ambassador and a member of the COC Athletes’ Commission.
“I am incredibly honoured to be part of Team Canada in a new capacity for the Pan Am Games at Santiago 2023,” said Simoneau. “As an Athlete Service Officer, I am thrilled to be a part of the ‘team behind the team’ and support our exceptional Canadian athletes on-site during the Games. I am excited to bring my passion for sport and commitment to athlete well-being to this role. Let’s make these Games unforgettable!”
Both Radford and Simoneau will work alongside Christine Girard, Team Canada’s Santiago 2023 Chef de Mission.
“I am so honoured to welcome Jacqueline and Eric to Team Canada. I have so much admiration for their careers and involvement in the sport community, I can’t wait to work alongside them at Santiago 2023. I think the whole team will benefit from their presence, their knowledge and everything they will bring throughout the Games,” said Girard. “I am also so pleased to welcome the rest of the Mission Team. Since I currently work in mental health, it’s great to see it being a priority in delivering world-class services for Team Canada.”
Lisa Hoffart will serve as Team Canada’s Mental Health Lead for Santiago 2023. Hoffart, who is a registered psychologist and mental performance consultant, serves as a Game Plan Advisor with Game Plan, Canada’s national athlete wellness program. Her wealth of experience in this field will be invaluable to the mental health services she will provide the entire Team Canada delegation at Santiago 2023.
Dr. Suzanne Leclerc has been selected as Team Canada’s Chief Doctor for Santiago 2023, under the leadership of Dr. Mike Wilkinson, the COC’s Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Leclerc, a sports medicine expert with experience at 10 previous major Games dating back to Salt Lake City 2002, currently serves as Medical Director at the Institut national du sport du Québec (INS Québec).
The role of Team Canada’s Performance Dietician for Santiago 2023 will be filled by Evelyne Telmosse. Telmosse is a nutritionist at the INS Québec, supporting athletes with performance nutrition on a day-to-day basis, as well as working with many National Sports Organizations through regular provincial and national training camps.
The Canadian Olympic Committee is on track to nominate more than 470 Team Canada athletes to compete at Santiago 2023, who will be supported by a team of approximately 360 coaches, support staff and Mission Team. At Santiago 2023, Canadian athletes from 31 sport disciplines will compete for either direct qualification, total points or qualifying standards for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Games begin on October 20 and end November 5, 2023, and will feature approximately 7000 athletes from 41 countries competing in 39 sports.
To stay updated on the latest news and information about Santiago 2023, please visit our Press Resources page.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Tara MacBournie
Team Canada Santiago 2023 Sport Communications Lead
C: 647-522-8328
E: tmacbournie@olympic.ca
Thomas Hall
Director, Communications and Media Relations
C: 514-709-1054
E: thall@olympic.ca