Prime Minister Stephen Harper congratulates Canada’s short track speed skating team on Olympic Silver Medal

February 24, 2010

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today congratulated Canada’s short track speed skating team, whose exceptional performance today in the women’s 3,000-metre relay was rewarded with a silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

“I sincerely congratulate our women’s short-track speed skating team on winning a silver medal,” said the Prime Minister.  “I am delighted to see our Canadian athletes win medals on home soil.”
 
The Canadian team includes Kalyna Roberge, Jessica Gregg, Tania Vicent and Marianne St. Gelais.
 
Ms. Roberge was born in St-Étienne-de-Lauzon and resides in Montreal, Quebec.   This is her second medal in her second Olympic Games, having won a silver medal in Turin.  She has competed in five World Championships, winning 10 medals.  She was also named Female Athlete of the Year at the 2008 Canadian Sport Awards, and was Canada’s 2007 and 2008 Female Short Track Speed Skater of the Year.
 
Ms. Gregg was born in Edmonton and resides in Calgary.  This is her first medal in her first Olympic Games.  She is a three-time World Championship medal winner, including a silver and two bronze.  She is also a two-time bronze medal winner in the 500 metres at the Junior World Championships and has been named Speed Skating Canada’s Female Athlete of the Year for Short Track in 2008-2009.  She is the daughter of former Olympians, Randy and Kathy Gregg.
 
Ms. Vicent was born in Montreal and resides in Vercheres, Quebec.  This is her fourth medal in her fourth Olympic Games.  She has competed in 12 World Championships and has won seven World Championship relay medals.  She has won three bronze medals at the Team World Championships and was named Speed Skating Canada’s 2004 Female Skater of the Year for Short Track.
 
Ms. St. Gelais was born in Roberval, Quebec, and now lives in Montreal.  This is her second medal in her first Olympic Games.  She is the world junior record holder in 500 metres and has won nine medals in two World Cup seasons.  She was named Speed Skating Canada’s 2009 Rising Star for short track.
 
The 2010 Olympic Winter Games are being held from February 12 to 28.  Canada is represented by more than 200 athletes who are competing in a 15-sport competition schedule at nine venues in Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler.  More than 5,500 athletes, coaches and team officials from more than 80 countries are participating in these Olympic Games.