It wasn’t just Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion who had a lot to talk about at the Panthéon des Sports du Québec gala on Monday. Jasey-Jay Anderson and Charles Hamelin also discussed intensively.
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“Every time we meet, it seems like we only talk for ten hours! The four-time Olympic champion in short track speed skating was hardly exaggerating. Without being good friends, we have an easy connection. We talk, ask each other lots of questions and are interested in what the other person is doing. […] I admire him greatly and will always appreciate him.”
The paths of the two athletes crossed many times throughout their careers as they practiced two winter sports. Both took part in the Olympic Games in Turin, Vancouver, Sochi and PyeongChang; Anderson had previously competed in Nagano and Salt Lake City, becoming the first Canadian to compete in six Games, while Hamelin completed the Games in Beijing.
“Charles is someone easy to talk to. He has a fascinating journey. He’s just a good guy, no demands. He managed to find his humility and keep his feet on the ground. It contains life stories of the common man and the superstar. For me, it’s often the stories of ordinary people that are interesting,” said Anderson, a 2010 Vancouver Games snowboard champion.
Jasey-Jay Anderson kisses his home gold medal at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Archive photo, QMI Agency, STEPHANIE LAMY
Feeling of impostor
Hamelin and Anderson were therefore admitted at the same time on Monday.
“I am so happy to be with this group of athletes,” said the “Lokomotiv de Sainte-Julie,” who was also recently recognized by Patinage despeed Québec. These are people I’ve seen on TV, like Vincent Damphousse when he played for the Canadian, or athletes I’ve met directly or indirectly throughout my career. It’s great fun to be on the podium with them today [lundi].”
“It is a great honor to be included with such great champions. “It’s hard for me to compare myself to them, but at the same time I’m just happy to join them,” admitted Anderson.
Charles Hamelin celebrates Canada’s victory in the men’s relay at the Vancouver Games with François-Louis Tremblay. Hamelin won two gold medals in less than 30 minutes. Archive photo, Daniel Mallard
The entrepreneur
However, the Canadian snowboarding legend has nothing to be ashamed of. The 48-year-old from Tremblant, who won four consecutive Crystal Globes between 2001 and 2004, achieved 63 World Cup podiums, including 28 first places.
“I never officially retired!” he remarked. After a break in 2010, I continued to compete for advancement for 12 years. I told myself there might be other things I could try, so I left the door open.”
Anderson, who didn’t compete last winter, wanted to “know where the speed of a ski or board comes from.” Today he designs skis with his partner Manon, who accompanied him and one of their daughters on Monday evening.
“It brings back the nostalgia of my good years in sport. I’m happy, but what makes me sad is that my body doesn’t follow me. I no longer have my 18 year old body that was invincible. Stenosis, hernia, whatever you want! It doesn’t follow even if I stay in shape,” Anderson said as he nears fifty.
Jasey-Jay Anderson in action in the parallel giant slalom at the 2018 PyeongChang Games. Archive photo, Ben Pelosse
Just a reason to put your skates back on
For his part, the young Hameln, 39 years old, has only been retired for a year and a half. Although he has won six Olympic medals, 41 World Championship medals, including 14 gold medals, and 142 World Cup medals, he doesn’t let the competition slip away.
The only reason he jumps on the ice is to accompany his eldest, Violette, three and a half years old, who has started skating.
“I stumble. She’s not afraid, she’s a go-getter, she wants to do it like the big boys,” concluded Hamelin.
The ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships will take place April 8-10, 2022 at the Maurice-Richard Arena. In the photo, Charles Hamelin with his daughter Violette in his arms greets the audience at the Maurice Richard Arena in Montreal during the 2022 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships. Archive photo, MARTIN ALARIE
▶ Marie-Claude Asselin (freestyle ski jumping), Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion (diving), Vincent Damphousse (hockey), Jean-Paul Chartrand Sr. (builder, media) and Monique Lefebvre (builder, adapted sport) were also included in the inducted into the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame.