Today, the Canadian Olympic Committee proudly announced that France St-Louis, Nagano 1998 Olympic Silver medallist and five-time World Champion, will once again represent Canada on the Olympic stage, this time in the role of Assistant Chef de Mission at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. St-Louis will share role with previously-named Lillehammer 1994 Gold medallist Jean-Luc Brassard, both joining Chef de Mission Steve Podborski on the leadership team that will guide Canada’s Olympians at Sochi 2014, aiming to attain the number one overall spot in total medals.
"If we want to become the best Olympic nation in the world, we need to gather the best-qualified Canadians to help lead our athletes and coaches," said Marcel Aubut, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee. "In addition to the tremendous talents that Steve and Jean-Luc bring to the leadership team, France will provide an exceptional amount of experience to our Olympic athletes as they compete against the world’s best. On behalf of the entire Olympic Family, I want to thank France for accepting this immense responsibility and I look forward to celebrating more classic Canadian Olympic performances in less than eight months in Russia."
"What an extraordinary occasion this is for me, an opportunity to be part of the Olympic Movement – something that I have believed in for many years," said St-Louis. "I want to thank the administration at the Cégep du Vieux-Montréal for being so supportive. It is going to be an honour to work alongside two incredible individuals like Steve and Jean-Luc. I am tremendously motivated and humbled to contribute to the Canadian Olympic Team at Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. I know how important it is for our athletes to be prepared both physically and mentally in order to achieve their desired objectives and this is exactly what I aim to deliver."
"Today, we add the knowledge and capacity of one of this country’s greatest ice hockey athletes to our Sochi 2014 Team," said two-time Olympian, Lake Placid 1980 Bronze medallist and Canadian Olympic Team Chef de Mission for Sochi 2014, Steve Podborski. "We have just taken one step closer to our quest in becoming the number one country in total medals at next year’s Winter Olympic Games. Our athletes and coaches have just gained access to an incredible amount of depth and perspective from an athlete who knows what it takes to win."
"What a wonderful addition to our team," added Jean-Luc Brassard, Lillehammer 1994 Gold medallist and Assistant Chef de Mission for Sochi 2014. "I think it’s fantastic that our athletes will have yet another Champion to consult with and learn from when they are competing against the world’s best."
"As an athlete who has already competed in an Olympic Games, I know how valuable it is to be surrounded by the best coaches and individuals that are equipped with the proper support," said Caroline Ouellette, three-time Olympic Gold medallist. "Having someone of France’s standing is a great addition to our Olympic Team, because at times, having the right mentality can help you achieve your ultimate dream of winning an Olympic gold medal.
During her twenty-year sporting career, St-Louis dominated in two sports: lacrosse and hockey. She is a five-time World Champion in ice hockey, a Silver medallist at the 1998 Winter Olympic Games and she served as Team Canada captain from 1992-1994. St-Louis is a recipient of numerous individual accolades including the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) Breakthrough Award in recognition of her immense contribution to women in sport and particularly to women’s hockey.
France St-Louis has been teaching Phys-Ed at the Cégep du Vieux-Montréal, a post-secondary institution supporting excellence in sports and raising awareness for physical activity and healthy lifestyles among our youth.
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