Gaétan Boucher

golden leaf icon for Hall of Fame

Team Canada Medal Count

Gold medal icon 2
Silver medal icon 1
Bronze medal icon 1

Biography

Gaétan Boucher is a four-time Olympic medallist in long track speed skating. At just 14, Boucher won his first Canadian title. Realizing his great potential, at the early age of 17 Boucher participated in his first Olympic Winter Games at Innsbruck 1976. At Lake Placid 1980, Boucher won his first Olympic medal, earning silver in the men’s 1,000m.

But it was at Sarajevo 1984 that Boucher became a household name. He claimed gold in the men’s 1000m and 1500m and bronze in the men’s 500m, winning a medal in each of his races. Boucher had been Canada’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony. He was the first Canadian man to win individual gold at the Olympic Winter Games. During his final Winter Games at Calgary 1988, Boucher was an Olympic flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony.

In addition to the Olympic Games, Boucher proudly represented Canada on many other stages. In 1984, he won gold at the World Sprint Championships and he received the Oscar Mathisen Award for his exemplary speed skating performance as well as the Lou Marsh Trophy for being Canada’s top athlete. It was also in 1984 that Boucher was inducted into the Canada Sports Hall of Fame.

Olympic Highlights

Games Sport Event Finish
1976 Innsbruck Speed Skating - Long Track1,000m - Men6
1976 Innsbruck Speed Skating - Long Track1,500m - Men14
1976 Innsbruck Speed Skating - Long Track500m - Men14
1980 Lake Placid Speed Skating - Long Track1,000m - MenSilver
1980 Lake Placid Speed Skating - Long Track1,500m - Men15
1980 Lake Placid Speed Skating - Long Track500m - Men8
1984 Sarajevo Speed Skating - Long Track1,000m - MenGold
1984 Sarajevo Speed Skating - Long Track1,500m - MenGold
1984 Sarajevo Speed Skating - Long Track500m - MenBronze
1988 Calgary Speed Skating - Long Track1,000m - Men5
1988 Calgary Speed Skating - Long Track1,500m - Men9
1988 Calgary Speed Skating - Long Track500m - Men14