BEIJING – Charles Hamelin skated with most of his idols when he started his career 20 years ago, including Éric Bédard, François-Louis Tremblay and Jonathan Guilmette. However, he did not have the pleasure of skating with the most decorated Olympian in history when he made his debut in 2002: Marc Gagnon.
On Wednesday, moments after winning his sixth career Olympic medal, Hamelin jumped into the arms of Gagnon, now assistant coach of the Canadian short track speed skating team.
“He was my idol and I started skating a bit because of him,” Hamelin said after helping Canada win gold in the 5,000 meter relay at the Beijing Olympics. I reached the national team in 2002 after his retirement, but he was always my idol.
Gagnon struggled to contain his emotions after this triumphant victory for Hamelin and his teammates Pascal Dion, Steven Dubois, Jordan Pierre-Gilles and Maxime Laoun.
Gagnon hung up his skates in glory in 2002, after winning five career Olympic medals. After spending time away from his favorite sport, Gagnon got the bug when he became a coach in 2010. He finally accepted an offer from the national team in January 2021 and relived special moments, Wednesday, at the Palais omnisports of the capital.
“It brings back memories, but I became a coach and I live it as a coach. I’m so proud of the team, said Gagnon before being overwhelmed by emotions. Twenty years later, I haven’t changed. I cry again! It’s just wonderful. They are incredible.”
Among other things, Hamelin edged out Gagnon as the most decorated Canadian Olympian at the Winter Games for men. He also joined Andre De Grasse at the top of the men’s list, if the Summer Games are included. Only swimmer Penny Oleksiak has won more medals in Canadian Olympic history, with seven.
“He brings back the short track record and it’s perfect,” exclaimed Gagnon with sparkling eyes. We can see it in many ways, but it is Charles Hamelin, at 37, who is still there.
“In a relay, each person is important. Charles made a difference.”
Hamelin praised Gagnon’s coaching skills, noting he knows how to calm skaters down or make them laugh when it’s important to make sure they’re relaxed.
Gagnon is ecstatic when it comes to talking about the legacy Hamelin will leave to the next generation of skaters. Hamelin will in turn hang up his skates next month at the end of the Worlds, presented in Montreal.
“When young people know how lucky they were to meet Charles Hamelin, to see his work ethic, the athlete he is… He is a leader, not in speaking, but in his way of being training,” said Gagnon, now 46. He is always on his business.
“The experience of seeing how this guy performs day in and day out. I did not know him 20 years ago, but I am convinced that he had the same rigour. He so deserves what is happening to him. It’s crazy. He is an exceptional athlete among exceptional athletes.”
During his career, Hamelin will have won silver in the relay in 2006 in Turin, gold in the 500 meters and in the relay in 2010 in Vancouver, gold in the 1500 meters in 2014 in Sochi, bronze in the relay in 2018 in Pyeongchang and relay gold in 2022 in Beijing. This is without forgetting his many medals in the World Cup and World Championships, including his overall title of world champion in 2018.
Like Gagnon did after the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, Hamelin can retire in glory.
