BEIJING | Without the faithful support of her pets, who guided her throughout this difficult Olympic cycle, Ivanie Blondin would never have succeeded in realizing her dream.
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The benefits of pet therapy are well known. The Ottawa skater recovered from her setbacks in Pyeongchang thanks to Brook, a mountain dog from the
Pyrenees crossed with a St-Bernard, Guizmo, a parrot, and the youngest of the gang, Beijing, a cat with familiar lynx traits.
While she was away from her husband, who had to stay in Hungary for the past year, her animals helped her overcome the hardships.
Everyone deserves a large share of this gold medal won in the team pursuit. Blondin was looking to climb on the podium since Sochi, in vain.
“Without them, I wouldn’t be here wearing this medal. Brook is my sparring partner. I do everything with him. Whether it’s running, cycling, cross-country in the mountains, it follows me everywhere. My animals are important for my mental balance. I am very grateful to them, ”said the skater about the one she adopted at the age of five weeks, as soon as she returned from Korea.
Moreover, she received a touching message of congratulations from the veterinarian who treats her animals.
Relieved as she contemplates her splendid medal, she explains that this precious piece represents perseverance.
Ultimate goal
For 10 years, this ultimate goal had become an obsession. In Korea, in 2018, when she dominated on the World Cup circuit in the 3,000 and 5,000 meters, she had not had the hoped-for success at the Olympics.
When she returned home, the then 27-year-old woman had sadly sunk into depression, swallowed up by a sense of failure.
“With the results obtained, fourth, fifth and sixth place, the Games were scrapped. I wanted to get on the podium. Mentally, I was unable to understand what had happened, said the one who said she had suffered a shock. I fell into a deep hole. »
Blondin explained that, since childhood, she puts a lot of pressure on her shoulders. Fierce competitor, she always aims for victory.
At these Beijing Games, she suffered a relapse after disappointments in the 1,500 and 3,000 metres. She also gave up participating in the 5000 meters.
“I started to think like I did in Korea,” she said. I told myself that I had failed. But my team supported me and we won. I live on a mountain of emotions. »
Unsure of her future, she wants to continue skating. It is still too early to look to Italy in 2026. She would also like to become a trainer or put her knowledge and training in animal care to good use.