Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu, a long track speed skater, is preparing for his Olympic dream after a successful season highlighted by three medals at the world championship. Despite facing health challenges, including severe asthma, he chose to take a year off to recover. Now training for upcoming competitions, he aims to qualify for the Olympics, believing his best chances for a medal lie in the team pursuit and mass start events. His passion for training and strong support system keep him motivated.
Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu: Aiming for Olympic Glory
After a remarkable finale to his last season, where he clinched three medals at the world championship, long track speed skater Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu is now gearing up for his ultimate ambition: capturing an Olympic medal. Despite the highs of his achievements, the 32-year-old athlete faced considerable challenges that led him to take a sabbatical year to recharge before focusing on the upcoming competition.
Overcoming Adversity and Health Challenges
The 2024 season was anything but easy for Gélinas-Beaulieu, who achieved a gold medal and set a world record in the team sprint, alongside a silver medal in the mass start and a third-place finish in the team pursuit. However, he also struggled with health issues that tested his resilience. “The world championship was a success, but I was bedridden for a week after returning from Calgary,” he shares. “I faced significant challenges due to severe asthma attacks and frequent illnesses. It was a tough decision to take a year off before the Games, but my body needed a break.”
Initially, Gélinas-Beaulieu aimed to compete in the selections last October in Quebec, but health complications prevented him from participating in the first two World Cups. “I returned to training too quickly after summer and ultimately missed the selections. Together with my coach, Muncef Ouardi, we decided to prioritize my preparation for the Milan-Cortina Games instead,” he explains. “I didn’t want to risk burnout while trying to catch up, so I skipped the January selections in Calgary. Watching my teammates compete from afar was tough, but staying home kept me from getting sick.”
Now back to training indoors and on the ice for one to two sessions per week, Gélinas-Beaulieu feels optimistic about regaining his competitive edge for the upcoming selections in September, with Olympic selections scheduled for early January in Quebec.
“My physical problems meant that my mental health took a hit,” he admits. “However, I have a strong support system, which motivates me to keep pushing forward. The Quebec Heart and Lung Institute is working diligently to address my asthma issues, and I’m also consulting a mental coach.”
Looking ahead, Gélinas-Beaulieu remains hopeful. “I’ve faced myriad challenges in my career and always emerged stronger. With the tools I’ll have at my disposal, I’m excited about what lies ahead.” His immediate goal is to be in peak condition for the fall and qualify for World Cup events. “Training has always been a passion of mine, and the journey to qualifying for the Games fuels my motivation,” he adds.
With aspirations to compete in his second Olympics, following the Beijing Games in 2022, Gélinas-Beaulieu is determined to aim higher. “Winning a medal at the Olympics is my ultimate goal. I believe my best chances lie in the team pursuit and the mass start,” he concludes.