Our Quebecers on the Olympics in Paris: that is not ok for soccer on the North Shore, they’re lastly doing nice in sports activities

Initially of the Paris Video games, The newspaper affords you a sequence of stories about native athletes residing their goals within the Metropolis of Lights. Behind the expertise, grace and energy of those instruments is a lifetime of sacrifice, tough decisions and arduous work to observe their ardour.

Minimize from the Côte-Nord soccer workforce when he was younger, Charles Paquet did not do too badly within the final sport.

However he discovered a solution to take part within the 2010 Quebec Video games in Gatineau in one other self-discipline the place he gained the silver medal, setting the primary milestone in direction of his {qualifications} for the Olympic Video games 14 years later.

Paquet then turned to triathlon the place he rapidly discovered success. After silver in Gatineau, he gained gold two years later in Shawinigan.

In addition to triathlon, he competed on the regional biking circuit and was among the many finest in his age group in cross nation.

“Charles was in plenty of ache,” stated his father Claude Paquet, “however he turned the web page 24 hours later. He didn’t get a lot enjoying time in 2009 and the coach steered that he would see extra motion in 2010, however he was not chosen. He by no means performed soccer once more. »

The primary coach for positive

Director of leisure actions, co-founder of the Port-Cartier triathlon that celebrated its thirtieth anniversary this 12 months and coaching fan, Christian Lepage took younger Paquet and three of his buddies underneath his wing.

He was his coach from 2010 to 2015 till the triathlete went to Quebec for his faculty and college research the place he wore the colours of the Rouge et Or for eight years.

“In highschool, the break was 90 minutes and Charlie took benefit of it to do the coaching I gave him,” stated the retired instructor. After a bathe and a sandwich, he was again at school by 4:30 p.m.

“At 15, when Charles gained the Quebec Video games in Shawinigan, it was straightforward to see that he was already a great athlete,” continued Lepage. He certified for the 2014 Youth Olympic Video games in China. In 2016 , he gained silver on the World Juniors in Cozumel. To this present day, he’s the one Canadian to have a podium end. The factor I’m most happy with is that I gave him the style and saved it going when he moved.

Claude Paquet is grateful to Lepage. “Christian, a famend man who used to journey hundreds of kilometers each two weeks for his son’s competitions, had the recipe. The younger individuals had enjoyable and the coaching was totally different. »

Spain serves as a place to begin

After leaving for Girona in February 2023 to observe his girlfriend and fellow rider Clara Émond who has simply gained a podium on the Tour of Italy, Paquet has discovered a high-level coaching group and a brand new coach discover

“It was a giant change and I would not have moved with out Clara. I wasn’t positive how it might go. It’s encouraging to work collectively and pursue the identical objectives. Coaching in Quebec within the winter just isn’t supreme. »

Three Olympians in his coaching group

Paquet has progressed by way of communication along with his new companions in a paradise for cyclists and triathletes. He trains specifically with the Belgian Marten Van Riel, who completed on the rostrum on the Tokyo Video games in 2021 and took sixth place in Rio in 2016, in addition to the Italian Alessio Crociani. Belgian coach Glen Poleunis supervises the three athletes.

“In our group, there are three of us who will take part within the Paris Video games,” he affirms. It is thrilling and I study from others. I had reached this level in my profession. I elevated the quantity loads and the depth a bit, which was an excellent recipe. »

Paquet scored a giant hit with fifth and seventh locations in Italy and Japan final Could to fulfill the Olympic standards. “I had a great winter of coaching, however these two outcomes stunned me. I’ve seen nice progress. This was my greatest exercise and the outcomes exceeded my expectations.