Winter Games 2022 | COC “Keeps Eye” on Situation in China, Says Athletes’ Commission

While Canada’s presence at the Beijing Winter Olympics is not in question following the mysterious disappearance of Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai, the Athletes’ Commission of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) says “keep an eye ”on the situation.

Jean-Francois Téotonio
Press

Shuai, 36, has not been seen in public since she accused former Chinese official Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault on Chinese social network Weibo on November 2. The post was deleted half an hour later.

“We are aware of what is happening at the moment,” explains Jacqueline Simoneau, Olympic artistic swimmer recently elected to the COC’s Athletes’ Commission. We have meetings with the athletes to get their opinion and to see, on our side, what we are going to do, how we are going to proceed. ”

The Quebecer, who participated in the last Games in Tokyo, in artistic swimming, indicates that the Commission is considering the possibility of issuing a statement to let people know that there are fears.

A boycott of Canada would therefore not be in the cards.

“Right now, the Winter Olympians are training really hard for the Olympics, so we’re going to support them in that,” she says.

Chosen by her peers

Chosen to be part of the Athletes’ Commission earlier this month, Jacqueline Simoneau says she is “honored to be recognized and elected by athletes, by her friends”.

Its role is to “represent the values ​​and ideas of athletes to the COC”. “We present the ideas of the athletes, or we allow them to sit in a meeting so that they can give their opinion when there are decisions to be made. ”

She adds that this position allows her to “stay connected with sport on another level”.

So is she thinking about retirement from sports?

“I haven’t made a decision yet. Right now, my focus is on school. I study podiatric medicine and it takes a long time in my schedule. ”

The native of Chambly is currently living her “dream” of studying medicine. “I would like to return to sport one day, but from a different perspective, as a doctor or a podiatrist. ”

Montreal amateur sport honored

Our interview with Jacqueline Simoneau took place as part of the Montreal Laureates Evening, organized by the Montreal Sports Council at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. The gratin of Montreal amateur sport gathered there on Friday evening.

Simoneau was named in the “Athlete par excellence in individual sport” category. It was finally judoka Jessica Klimkait who walked away with the trophy, she who had won a historic bronze medal for Canada in Tokyo. Para-swimmer Aurélie Rivard was also named.

“Honestly, it’s always fun to be recognized, not only by your peers, but by your city as well,” commented the Paralympian. My preparation for the Games, I did it here. ”

Marie-Philip Poulin stood out in the “Athlete par excellence in team sport” category. Her teammate Mélodie Daoust and water polo player Axelle Crevier were also finalists.

Artistic gymnast Aurélie Tran won the title of “Rising star par excellence”, ahead of Dylan Le (climbing) and Sara-Maude Dupuis (figure skating).

Basketball referee Maripier Malo won the “Official par excellence” award, after taking part in the Olympic basketball tournament in Tokyo.

“I had dreamed for a long time to participate in the Olympics, especially as an athlete. […] But there, to do it with a more reserved role of referee on a basketball court, it is even more rewarding. It opens our eyes to the fact that we can go to the Games and reach the highest level by inspiring others, and especially young people. ”