I am an Olympic athlete who has competed in five Games, winning five medals across two Olympic sports. I had the privilege of becoming a back-to-back Olympic champion in 2022 and 2026. My career has also led me to represent my country at the Pan American Games in inline speed skating, broadening my international experience and my understanding of elite sport in its various forms.
I believe it is essential to defend athletes’ rights, particularly in light of a major current challenge: funding. This issue is rooted not only in our infrastructure but also in our society’s culture. Although we value our athletes in Canada, our population is becoming less and less active. As a national organization, we must lead by example, inspire young people, and above all, get out into the community to make sport accessible. It is crucial to develop the individual and their physical abilities, without specializing too early, in order to foster a lasting commitment, whether for fun or performance.
My vision for the COC Athletes’ Commission is for it to be a strong and credible voice that truly reflects the diversity and realities of athletes across all sports and career stages. I believe it must actively advocate for equitable funding, comprehensive athlete support, and healthy, safe training environments.
It should also play a key role in strengthening the link between athletes and decision-makers, so that decisions are guided by real-life experiences. Beyond performance, I see the Commission promoting long-term development, well-being, and post-career transitions, while helping to inspire the next generation by making sport more accessible and inclusive across Canada.
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