After triumphing in the Partner of the Year category, short track speed skaters Kim Boutin and Danaé Blais looked to share the honor with their teammates Thursday night at the 50th Gala Sports Québec.
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“We’re definitely sharing it with the team,” Boutin said with a smile.
The four-time Olympic medalist in this category was also overtaken by boxer Tammara Thibeault in the race as an “athlete at international level”. However, the award given to her and her accomplice Danaé was of great importance.
“Short track speed skating is more often an individual sport, but the team is crucial,” said Blais. We are a big family and after our fourth place in the relay at the Beijing Olympics it was difficult mentally. We learned a lot, we made a lot of effort together to come back from it. »
Cooperation
Blais, of course, had good words for Kim Boutin, but also for Florence Brunelle, Courtney Sarault and pensioners Alyson Charles and Camille de Serres-Rainville, among others. In one way or another, everyone, on the ice or not, contributed to the recovery of the team, which was crowned with a silver medal in the relay at the World Championships in Montreal in April 2022.
“A beautiful balm,” said Blais.
“It’s super nice of Kim and Danaé to want to share this award with us. We’ve had some great times together, it’s a great recognition,” said de Serres-Rainville, who was one of the athletes. in the spotlight before the main gala during a cocktail tribute to former Team Quebec athletes.
The word of the minister
Isabelle Charest, Minister for Sport, Leisure and Nature and former speed skater, was present in the evening.
“Everything you’ve acquired will follow you,” she addressed the retired athletes, mentioning discipline and resilience. You are an inspiration to Quebec. »
About Camille de Serres-Rainville: She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from UQAM and is considering a master’s degree in physical therapy. She swapped her ice skates for flag football and won a silver medal with her university at the Canadian championship last weekend. UQAM then lost to the University of Montreal representatives in the finals.