Key Ambassadors

Key Ambassadors reflect the image we wish to portray in terms of the diversity of contributions (generation, gender, language, ex-athlete, coach/trainer, administrator). These people will be called upon to speak in public to describe the merits of the Sherbrooke – Community Candidate for the 2013 Canada Summer Games bid.

Ambassadors

Ambassadors are former athletes, coaches or trainers, representing a wide variety of sports in the Canada Games program. They will be identified on our Web site with a photograph and short quotation.

Representatives

Representatives are former participants in past editions of the Canada Games who served in recent decades on behalf of Sherbrooke or the Estrie region. They are listed and identified as our representatives; the full list is presented here.

If you are a former Canada Games participant still leaving in the area and your name is not listed, please contact us.

Messengers

This is a group of people from all walks of life (students, athletes, self-employed business people, workers, retired athletes, coaches and trainers, and volunteers from the sports milieu) whose help will be enlisted as a positive influence in Sherbrooke’s bid for the 2013 Canada Summer Games.

Valérie Lambert

Speed Skating

I participated in the Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse in 2007. I was struck by the fact that the whole city was taking time for us, all of its citizens were involved in some way and everybody knew about the Games. It was a magical moment…as if all of Whitehorse had dropped everything to welcome us…

Diane Roy

Athletics WSA

Paralympic Games 2004 and 2008, OG 2004  

The best memories I have of the 1993 Canada Games in Kamloops is no doubt that it was my first presence in a major national competition. What is more remarkable however is the “integration” of all the handicapped athletes in the group. We lived with everybody else and we really felt part of the team.

Annie Martin

Beach Volleyball

2004 Olympic Games in Athens

I had the opportunity to participate in the 2001 Canada Summer Games in London and it was an extraordinary life experience. I was amazed how the close attention to every detail gave the competitions an international flavour comparable to that of the Olympic Games. I realize today that such an event acted as a catalyst to convince me to pursue my development and training to achieve the highest performances.

Tom Allen

Men's Hockey

1967 Canada Winter Games, Québec  

Imagine, the 1967 Winter Games were at the same time as the Carnaval de Québec; needless to say that we had the experience of participating in both, le Carnaval and the Canada Games. Eight days I will never forget.

Sylvie Daigle

Speed Skating

Participation to 5 Olympic Games

Olympic medallist at 5 occasions

When I participated in the 1979 Games in Brandon, I felt like I was in the Olympic Games. In this respect, the event was really the beginning of my Olympic adventure.

Frédéric Niemeyer

Tennis

Professional tennis player on ATP Tour

Beijing 2008 Olympics

The 1993 Canada Games in Kamloops were my first major competition. I was impressed by the size of the organization which looked to me like mini Olympic Games. What a fantastic feeling to meet all those athletes from other sports, not to mention the many tennis players!

Pierre Bélanger

Volleyball

1976 Olympic Games

The Canada Games in Saskatoon were my first major games. The opportunity to represent my province in a national multisports event was an incredible source of inspiration which motivated me to pursue my career at the international level.

Marie-Claude Lunardi

Volleyball

My best souvenir of the Saskatoon Winter Games in 1971 is a silver medal in volleyball. I was a member of the Quebec team and we were the shortest team in the competition. I was only 16 at the time but when I think about it today, I have a great feeling of pride to have participated in the Final and still remember how exciting it was to be part of such an important event.

Jean-René Bélanger, fils de Pierre et Marie-Claude

Speed Skating

Olympic hopeful 2010

The Canada Games gave me the opportunity to meet people from all over the country. What distinguishes these competitions from others is the chance to meet athletes from all different sports and cultures. What a great experience!

Annie Perreault

Speed Skating

Three-time olympic medallist/1992 and 1998 Winter Olympics

I participated twice in the Canada Games, in 1987 and 1993, and both times proved to be an enriching and memorable experience on a personal and sports related level. Any athlete who has that privilege gains an immediate advantage for other major sports events. I was 15 when I participated in my first Canada Games as a short track speed skater where I faced competitors in their early twenties. Six years later, when I represented Quebec again in the Canada Games as a soccer player, I approached the whole experience with more maturity and I was able to better appreciate the Games. Over and above my three gold medals (1987) and bronze medal (1993), there is no doubt that the Canada Games had only positive effects on my sports career and professional life.

Annie Lévesque

Volleyball

Member of National Volleyball Team

The Canada Games were a memorable experience. First, being a member of the Quebec team had never crossed my mind. Second, imagine my reaction when I was told that it was a Canada Games year. I felt proud and honored to wear the colours of my province and to have a chance to live this experience. The Canada Games marked the beginnings of a great sport adventure for me. They opened doors to a career that was beyond my wildest dreams, to be part of the Canadian volleyball team. Each participant will experience something different, the important thing is to have fun and excel.

Paul Deshaies

Commissioner of the International Amateur Basketball Federation and founding member of Excellence Sportive Sherbrooke

I was a basketball official at the 1979 Canada Summer Games in Brandon and it proved to be an incredible experience. I still remember clearly the respect and attention shown to officials, like the private transportation specifically reserved for them. Ten years later, I witnessed my son Paul’s performances as a swimmer in Saskatoon. It was a moment of great pride for me.

Jacques Petit

Athletics