The Olympic Games are not just about medals, they are also proof of the courage and determination of many athletes.

Sunday in Beijing, Justine Dufour-Lapointe showed resilience after her fall during the first stage of the final of the freestyle skiing event. Shortly after her first jump, the 27-year-old Quebecer lost control and fell in the bumps.

Despite the unfortunate outcome for the one who was aiming for a third Olympic medal in as many Games, the skier offered a touching and inspiring testimony at the bottom of the slope at the microphone of Radio Canada.

“I didn’t see anything go. I went really big in my high jump and had all the confidence to land my jump, but unfortunately I think I took a ledge on the landing and it cost me my Olympic run,” she mentioned.

“It’s really not what I expected to experience here at my third Olympic Games. I have never prepared so much to come to these Games. In the last few years, it was probably the hardest to overcome, but I never gave up and I always believed in myself. »

“I just want people to remember at home that beyond the victories, beyond the failures, you should never give up and that’s what I wanted to do in the end. I wanted to show everyone who follows me home that I love you and that you skied with me until the end, ”she added as she completed her descent even though her fate was decided. after his fall.

After winning a gold medal in Sochi, and a silver medal in PyeongChang four years later, Justine Dufour-Lapointe had every intention of pushing her limits and leaving everything on the track. Despite the turn of events, she is happy to have gone full speed ahead.

“I told myself that I was going to be here, that I was going to release an extraordinary Justine, I was going to dare new jumps and that’s what I’m most proud of tonight,” she said. share.

Justine Dufour-Lapointe was also able to turn in this difficult moment to her sisters who were there. Chloe has also taken the time to console her after performing her own descent a few minutes earlier. Maxime was also present and the eldest of the Dufour-Lapointe sisters had good words as reported by Justine.

“Maxime listened to me cry and she took me in her arms to comfort me. She told me the only way to get out of here was to come see you and be the champion who I am and tell you exactly how I feel and speak from my heart,” he said. she concluded.