Olympic Short Track Speed Skaters

In previous Vancouver 2010 Olympics preview posts, I wrote about Canada’s medal hopes figure skating. Today the focus is on our Short Track Speed Skating team.

Over course of my life, one issue Canada has had to deal with over and over again, is the province of Quebec’s desire to separate from our country. The idea has always invoked a feeling of sadness within me, a feeling of doom and desolation deep within. I would really miss our French province, though not for the poutine or smoked meat. The true detriment to our country would be to our sports. Consider this: without the French Canadians, who would have backstopped our national hockey teams without Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur or Roberto Luongo available to us over the years?

In the upcoming Olympics, no Canadian team would be more affected by the absence of Quebec than the short track speed skaters. Of the 10 person team, only one is not from Quebec and that is Edmonton’s Jessica Gregg. All others are French Canadians, and come February, they will make us proud as they bring home a bunch of medals.

With the 2009-10 World Cup Season beginning two weeks ago in China, we are starting to see the results we may hope for at the Olympics.

Here are the names to know:

MEN

Francois Louis Tremblay
The only male Canadian who won an individual medal in Turin – he won silver in the 500m. He has only just returned from a high ankle sprain sustained last spring, but is quickly rounding into form.

Charles Hamelin
Making a statement to begin the 2009-10 World Cup Season, he won gold in the 500m in China. A week later, he followed it up in Korea by defending his gold medal in the 500m and adding a silver in the 1000m.

Francois Hamelin
Francois is not far behind his brother, with his best individual finish this season being a fourth placing in the 1000m race in China.

The men’s relay team consisting of Charles Hamelin, Francois Hamelin, Olivier Jean, Gillaume Bastille, and Francois Louis Tremblay won bronze in the 5000m team relay in China and improved the next week to take the silver medal in the same event in Korea.


WOMEN

Kalyna Roberge
Best known for winning the silver medal in the 3000m race in Turin, she recently won bronze in the 500m at Korea.

Jessica Gregg
The Edmontonian won silver in the 500m in China.

Marianne St-Gelais
Completed a silver-bronze sweep by Canada, taking third place in the 500m in China.

The Women’s relay team consisting of Tania Vicent, Marianne St-Gelais, Jessica Gregg, and Valerie Maltais won bronze in the 3000m team relay in China and followed it up by defending third place in the same race the following week.