Pierre Lavoie
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, PRESS ARCHIVES
Pierre Lavoie, at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, at the finish of the 2018 Pierre Lavoie Grand Challenge
“The virtues of nature are recognized. […] We are now confirming that walking outside, especially in nature, with a green space – we don’t have to be in the Laurentians, we can be in a park – is good for our physical health. and, above all, our mental health. In this period when we are affected by both, it is important to create a routine and to go there every day. I tell people: dress properly, go ahead, you’ll see, it’s going to do you good. Go ahead and repeat. If you repeat at least five times, you will not be able to do without it. And maybe that will become a positive point of COVID-19.
“The vast majority of people don’t know it, but cross-country skiing has been made free in Quebec for children 12 and under, across Quebec in all ski centers. It doesn’t cost parents anything anymore, it’s free to enter and for skis.
“The Scandinavian countries have done a lot of research on physical activity. […] They discovered what helps a human, whatever their age, to be motivated on a daily basis to do an activity. These are two very simple things. It’s not the podium, not the medals. That motivates 5% of a group. They are fun and friends. If you have fun and are accompanied, in addition, by a friend, you will want to repeat it the next day.
“What I say to the elderly: If you don’t have a friend, buy yourself a dog. I bought myself an Australian Shepherd and I don’t even have a choice. He looks at you in the morning and you know very well what he wants. […] Have fun in what you do. Discover your corners. There are extraordinary corners in Quebec. Arrange for it to be near you, never binding.
“With social media today, it’s easy to invite people. And share your happiness, your simple moments. Those sunsets, those times when you saw animals. Me, I discover while walking with my dog. However, I have traveled, mileage, in my life, but it is by walking that we see the most things. We have time. I would tell people to take the walk. ”
Julie gosselin
PHOTO FROM THE SPORTS QUÉBEC TWITTER ACCOUNT
Julie Gosselin, Executive Director of Sports Québec
“This is the third time that sport has been closed since the start of the pandemic. The best moments were when people got so bored of sport and saw how important it was in their life to have the sport, the spirit of camaraderie with the athletes, colleagues, members of the teams. teams, even the referees… People came back motivated on their return, more than ever. What I like to say is: let’s continue to stay the course on the objectives we had, to be ready for the return. We’ve been so creative, we’ve found so many ways to stay connected to our sport, that we appreciate it even more when it comes back.
“Let’s inspire each other. We were so good at doing this. […] The other day I was looking at my little neighbors who play hockey normally and they were playing in the streets making goals with cones. They were doing a training program together to keep motivated. I was so impressed with the creativity in all the sports the last few times, and there, I feel that we are bringing our creativity back again to keep moving and be ready as soon as the relaunch takes place. We hope it will be as soon as possible.
“Even if it’s cold, it’s snowing, that’s not an obstacle. We go out, we move together and respecting public health instructions, of course.
“You can also use the power of social media to share what you’re doing, to inspire others, to show that everyone is in the same boat right now. But as a gang, we can do things, move, have that snowball effect.
“We know that the protocols of our federations are good, solid. People take it seriously. We are able to come back and ensure that the mental and physical health of young people is correct as quickly as possible. It is for us, at Sports Quebec, so at the heart of our concerns to ensure that young people are good both physically and mentally, that they have a healthy mind in all of this. We hope that we will be the first to leave and we know that everyone is able to leave quickly. ”