Most of the medalists were participants of the 55^e Finale des Jeux du Québec – Laval 2022 (Quebec Games). That evening also made it possible to recognize the dedication of all organizers of the event.

“They’ve worked for more than three years to brilliantly welcome sports delegations from all regions of the province, and promote our municipality,” said member of the executive committee and responsible for leisure and sports files at the City of Laval, Nicholas Borne, by press release.

Members of the board of directors and organizing committee of the provincial competition received a personalized gift during this evening.

For their part, the young athletes of the 22 sports disciplines of the Quebec Games were honoured. Nine gold medals (international level) were awarded, followed by 15 silver (national level) and 82 bronze (provincial level).

Pierre-Marchand Prize

The Pierre-Marchand prize was awarded to triathlete Émile Pichette.

Pichette tried triathlon for the first time in 2021 to keep in shape for the alpine ski season, despite the pandemic. During that first summer, he participated in two triathlons, without obtaining performances comparable to those he reached on the ski slopes.

“He remained motivated, and his perseverance finally allowed him to qualify for the Quebec Games in 2022, after having reached the standards of the three triathlon disciplines,” specified the City. “His evolution continued during those Games, when he obtained a better result than what he had achieved in the Laval triathlon.”

Pichette also participated in four competitions during the summer, finishing with a second place in his last triathlon, in Valleyfield.

Alexandre-Despatie Scholarship

The Alexandre-Despatie scholarship, aimed at rewarding a high-level athlete, whose commitment and performance are directly linked to the City of Laval’s Physical Activity Policy, was awarded to boxer Marie-Bathoul Al- Ahmadieh.

In addition to being a provincial champion, the Laval resident was selected to represent the national junior boxing team on several occasions.

In recent months, she has won a gold medal with Team Canada at the Brandenburg Box Cup, in Germany, in addition to being named Boxer of the Tournament.

Winner of the silver medal at the Golden Girl Boxing Championship, in Sweden, she also repeated the feat at the Bornemissza Memorial Tournament, presented in Hungary.

Still on the rise, Al-Ahmadieh currently ranks first in the Canadian rankings, in the Women Jr, 57 kg category. (N.P.)

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L’article 106 Medalists at the 64th Mérite sportif lavallois est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

An inspiring story of that second block is Isabelle Campagna’s one, who’s coaching Laval’s girl softball team.

Campagna knows her sport very well, having played softball for about 20 years before becoming a coach about five years ago.

She developed a sense of attachment to the Jeux du Québec at a very young age, when her father took her to see the 1985 edition, in Charlesbourg.

“I was dreaming of participating in the Jeux du Québec since then,” Campagna said. “I told myself I was going to be a volunteer in Laval in 2020, that I was going to experience the event a different way. Because of COVID-19, it was postponed twice. Also, last year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.”

When the 55e Finale des Jeux du Québec – Laval 2022 was rescheduled to this summer, Campagna set herself the goal of coaching the women’s softball team, with her daughter then being eligible to play.

“For the past year, through all the treatments, it’s been my goal to be in a good enough shape to participate in the Jeux du Québec,” Campagna said. ” I told the doctors, nurses and everyone I’ve met that I was going to do anything possible to be where I am today. »

Furthermore, Campagna’s father is a volunteer for the 55e Finale des Jeux du Québec, making him the third family member involved in the event.

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L’article Involved in Softball Despite Cancer est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Some important people of the Jeux du Québec were there to share their thoughts of the event so far. Among them was Marc DeBlois, executive director of the Organizing Committee of the event.

“Athletes will remember that first block for a while,” DeBlois said. “It was in fact our priority. We’re having a solid team.”

Christopher Skeete, MP for Sainte-Rose for the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ), was also at the press conference. He talked about the sport’s importance in the development of a young person. He also wanted to thank all the volunteers of the 55e Finale des Jeux du Québec – Laval 2022.

“It’s something to be able to see those athletes having fun, but also to see them becoming better citizens through sport,” Skeete said. “I also have a special mention for volunteers. They’re smiling, they’re dedicated. There is a volunteer who stayed up for seven hours on the opening ceremony day. It’s the kind of community effort that brings life to a city. That’s my greatest pride.”

Executive director of Sports Quebec, Isabelle Ducharme, said she was impressed by the quality of competition sites.

Second block

L’article Jeux du Québec: Recap of the First Block est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The evening was hosted by Émilie Duquette and Alexandre Despatie, both of whom played the Jeux du Québec at a younger age. They were impressed by the energy of all the young athletes present for the ceremony.

THE SHOW

Laval has reserved a light show for the athletes and parents at Place Bell, offering impressive laser effects and rhythmic music. Former Laval athletes were also at the opening ceremony to celebrate the start of the competition.

Gymnast William Emard had the honor of lighting the flame of the 55e Finale des Jeux du Québec. Emard participated at the Jeux du Québec, and now competes at the international level, with the goal of participating in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

L’article An Emotional Opening Ceremony est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

It took place at the Horizon Jeunesse high school, in Auteuil.

For the occasion, the 161 athletes, 41 coaches and companions, as well as the seven missionaries of Laval’s region met with Mayor of Laval Stéphane Boyer, and President of Sports Laval Geneviève Cossette.

“I just want to congratulate you on getting to where you are today,” Boyer said during the region’s meeting. I’m sure you are as excited as we are to be at the Jeux du Québec. […] We’re counting on you to make us shine. We want to show the other regions that we’re the best.”

“You can really be proud of that journey you’ve accomplished,” Cossette added. “As a mother of two girls practicing sports at the pre-national level, I know how much time you’re putting into training. […] For some athletes, it’s just the start of an amazing career. For others, it’s an unforgettable experience during which you’ll meet new people, create new links. Live it to the fullest.”

Cossette also took a moment to recognize the work of the parents, who get involved in helping their children participate in various sports competitions.

Ambassador

Gymnast Félix Dolci could not be at the region’s meeting. However, he still shared a message to the young athletes in a pre-recorded video.

“I’d like to congratulate you all for having surpassed yourselves throughout the year in order to be here today, and play the Jeux du Québec,” Dolci said.

Let’s remember that Dolci is the most decorated athlete in the history of the Jeux du Québec, but also Canada Winter Games. He participated twice in each of these competitions, winning a total of 18 medals.

Preparation and COVID-19

The rest of the evening was to prepare Laval’s athletes for the provincial competition, which will begin on Friday, July 22.

They’ve been informed on how to proceed when arriving on the site, and how their schedule works when it comes to mealtimes and bedtime.

Athletes will have to be tested five days before the start of their competition block, as well as the day before the competition.

They’ll also have to do a daily rapid test. If an athlete eventually tests positive for COVID-19, he will then be placed in isolation, before leaving the site facilities with a family member.

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L’article Laval’s Region Meets One Last Time Before the Jeux du Québec est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Despatie’s career took off, in part, at the Jeux du Québec de Baie-Comeau, in 1993. Eight years old at the time, the two-time Olympic Games medalist had won gold in the diving event.

“It can be the start of something big for many young talents,” Despatie said. “It’s also about all the jokes we were making on the bus while going to our competitions. It marked me, and I’ll never forget that.”

Despatie said he never hesitated when we asked him if he wanted to be the spokesperson of the 55e Finale des Jeux du Québec, saying “yes” right away when the question was brought to him on the phone.

“It’s special for me to be able to be part, in a way, of the event, at home,” the former diver explained. “I want people to get in, since I know the impact it can have on the young athletes, the parents and the volunteers. I’ll want to give back to this event for the rest of my life.”

Take advantage of the site

Despatie reminds us the importance of enjoying every moment of the Jeux du Québec. Some of his personal favourite memories being between competitions, he advises athletes to take advantage of the facilities, the athletes’ village and other places prepared for the event.

“For me, it will be about the message I’ll share with them,” Despatie said. I want to enjoy those moments to meet them. I intend to go see what’s happening during competitions, and experience the energy that circulates around them.”

Many sports will obviously be played during the eight days of competition. Despatie says he’s excited to be able to see a bit of everything.

“I’m looking forward to see all the sports, even those I’m not really used to see,” he said. “I want to discover everything. We’ll build a schedule based on the competitions.”

L’article Alexandre Despatie: From Athlete to Spokesperson est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.