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 Speed Skating Canada
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Date of Birth: 17/12/76 |
Place of Birth: Shawinigan, QC |
Residence: Montreal, QC |
Height: 5'9" |
Weight: 170 lbs |
Years on National Team: 5 |
One of the most versatile short track speed skaters in the world, Éric Bédard appeared to be a medal threat in all three individual events at the
Olympics but struggled at the Olympic trials and will likely only race the relay. He burst on the international stage at the Nagano Olympics with a
double medal performance. He took third in the men's 1,000-metres then helped Canada to gold in the men's relay.
Last season he broke the world record in the men's 1,500 at the Canadian Open in Edmonton and captured the final two World Cup 500 metre
races of the season as well as a gold in the 1,000.
Bédard started short track speed skating at age four and -despite his skating skills-was also a hockey goaltender as a youth. However at age
11 he was asked by his father to pick between the two sports.
What Canada Did
Feb. 23 - Men's 5,000-metre relay: Mathieu Turcotte, Montreal; Francois-Louis Tremblay, Boucherville, Que.; Marc Gagnon, Pointe-aux-Trembles, and Jonathan Guilmette, Montreal, won gold medal.
Feb. 13 - Men's 5,000-metre relay: Eric Bedard, Ste-Thecle, Que.; Marc Gagnon, Pointe-aux-Trembles, Que.; Francois-Louis Tremblay, Boucherville, Que., and Mathieu Turcotte, Montreal, set Olympic record time of six minues 45.455 seconds in winning first-round heat, advanced to final.
Éric Bédard Photos
Turcotte and Gagnon carry teammate Bedard
Team Canada shows off their gold medals
2002 Games Short Track Speed Skating Coverage
