As a teenager, Maxence Parrot dreamed modestly. He wanted to become a professional skateboarder, to travel the world. He did not “even aspire to win a competition”. And yet…
Posted yesterday at 5:12 p.m.
In 2013, Parrot won its first medal at the X Games. The following year, he took part in his first Olympic Games. Then he started to invent new maneuvers. “It was like one of my second or third dreams,” he explained at noon on Tuesday during a press conference.
Then came the Olympic medals. First there was silver in slopestyle, in 2018. At the end of that year, the athlete learned that he was suffering from cancer – Hodgkin’s lymphoma -, which he defeated in six months. Three years later, he is back from his third Olympic Games with two new medals, including his first gold.
I remember, when I was young, my mother always told me: when you are asked to do something, always do a little more. It makes me proud that I didn’t just sit on my original dream and do more.
Maxence Parrot
“Since my initial dream, there have been many more dreams. I think it’s important to always keep pushing and having goals in life. So far, for sure, I’m extremely satisfied with my journey. There is absolutely nothing I would change. »
The story of Parrot, spokesperson for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation of Canada, has inspired sports fans around the world. The athlete himself finds it hard to believe all that he has achieved.
“I received thousands of messages from people who found my story inspiring and it helped them fight their life challenges or even illnesses,” he recalls.
The snowboarder said it before the Games, and he still says it to this day: cancer changed him for the better. As a person and as an athlete.
“I know that I shouldn’t take life for granted. Every time I get on my snowboard, I smile even more than before. Even though I liked it before, I like it even more now. »
In January, Parrot launched its documentary Life as a gold medal as part of his fundraising campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation of Canada. The short film, available on his website in exchange for a donation, tells the intimate story of his battle against the disease.
Next stop: son
Parrot returned home last Wednesday evening. Since then, he has struggled with jet lag. Of course, he celebrated with his family. “Not yet enough to [son] taste” however. But it will be done soon, he assured, smiling. “There are a lot of parties ahead of me! »
Like all Olympians returning from the Games, Parrot was asked what was coming next for him. First, he will allow himself a few months of rest. His partner is due to give birth to their first child, a little boy, at the beginning of May. the timing is perfect.
“Having a child is a dream come true. It is on my personal life that I will focus in the coming months. As I have already announced, I will not be doing any other competitions for the rest of the season. I’m going to enjoy the rest of my girlfriend’s pregnancy with her. »
It’s not a moment that happens 10 times in a lifetime. I don’t plan on having 10 children!
Maxence Parrot
However, the snowboarder does not intend to take a full year off. We will see him on the slopes again before long. Will he go to the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2026? Don’t expect an answer to this question for a few years…
“Thinking four years ahead isn’t something I’ve been doing since my cancer. I go there year after year. »
One thing remains certain, however: “There will be other dreams. »
No choice, when it’s your fuel.
A word from Anthony Calvillo
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Patrice Bernier, Maxence Parrot and Anthony Calvillo
Montreal Alouettes quarterbacks coach Anthony Calvillo traveled to the Westbury Montreal Milton on Tuesday for the press conference. He and his wife both survived cancer, in 2007 and 2010 respectively. “When we learned that Max had been diagnosed with cancer [en 2018]my wife and I sent him an email, a word of encouragement, he told The Press. When my wife was diagnosed, so many people across the country sent her letters and emails. There were days when she didn’t feel well and she read these letters. […] It helped her so much. »
” I think [les succès de Maxence seront] positive for all those who have been touched, personally or not, by cancer. Max is an example of someone who went through it, beat it and came back to a high level. It’s inspiring. I’m sure it will touch the lives of people without even knowing it. »