A second baby, an Olympic medal and a title of world champion. The last few months have been wonderfully filled for Laurent Dubreuil and the whole thing was crowned in a perfect way by the title of athlete of the year, Thursday evening at the 50th Athlete Gala.
It was the first face-to-face gala since 2020, with around 500 people gathered in the Sylvain-Lelièvre room at Cégep Limoilou.
In 50 years of history, the Gala has only 11 athletes who have received the ultimate consecration more than once. The Lévis long-track speed skater is now part of this select group.
Caroline Brunet (6 times), Alex Harvey (4 times), Pierre Harvey (3 times), Myriam Bédard (3 times), Antoine Valois-Fortier (2 times), Kalyna Roberge (2 times), Marie-Hélène Prémont (2 times), Mélanie Turgeon (twice), Sylvie Bernier (twice) and Gaétan Boucher (twice) achieved the feat before him.
Dubreuil was also awarded the title of athlete of the year at the last gala, in 2020.
“It’s a great pride. I just had my three best career seasons. Who knows, if we had the chance to have a gala in 2021, I might be on my third title online! As a skater, it’s an opportunity to put my sport forward,” said the 30-year-old athlete during an interview beforehand, he who was not there because he preparing for the Four Continents Championship, which begins at the Ice Center today.
A dream year
For Dubreuil, it’s another layer of happiness on a dream year. At the Beijing Olympics, he won hard silver in the 1000m, a few months after being crowned world champion in the 500m.
Dubreuil also won the overall 500m on the World Cup circuit last season.
“It’s nice because there are a lot of good athletes in Quebec in a lot of sports. Being recognized in front of other athletes who are among the best in the world in their own sport is a great mark of recognition. It is gratifying to see that my accomplishments are valued, ”he reacted.
Gregor Jelonek rewarded
The height of happiness for Dubreuil, it was his coach Gregor Jelonek, who has worked with the national long track team since 2002, who was elected international coach of the year.
He was also absent, but Dubreuil said he was proud for two.
“We team up on the ice and in life to achieve our goals. It makes me happy to see that our efforts are being rewarded together. I know that Gregor, it bothers him a little because he is more reserved, but I am happy that he is recognized at his fair value, ”he said.
A legacy for young people
With his collection of medals on the international scene, his two Athlete of the Year titles and a brand new Ice Center in Quebec, Laurent Dubreuil can only hope that visibility will help his sport grow. .
“The reason why sports like hockey and soccer sparkle is because they are in the media and there are international stars who are role models on a daily basis. Young people come to want to imitate them.
“The fact that my sport is recognized this evening, that there is an international competition here at the end of the week and that we are talking about all this in the media, young people will have models to take an interest in sport”, he believes.