The 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea start today! Despite concerns of a stomach flu sweeping through security staff, Russian athletes being banned from competing under their nation’s flag, and tensions between North and South Korea, these Winter Games are set to be an exciting platform for our Canadian athletes to show their best attributes.
While we can’t showcase all 225 Canadian athletes attending this year’s Games, we thought we would highlight some who are currently working towards a university degree in Canada while also training to be an Olympian. Prepare to be dazzled!
There are impressive athlete-scholars pursuing degrees at Canada’s francophone universities as well!
Alex Gough, @AlexGoughLuge
Sport: Luge
Education: Studying civil engineering at the University of Calgary.
Fun fact: This is Alex’s fourth Olympics!
Highlight: Watch Alex’s silver medal run from the World Cup, back in December:
Andrew Poje, @WeaverPoje
Sport: Figure skating – pairs
Education: Working towards a biomedical science degree at the University of Waterloo.
Fun fact: Andrew finished 7th in his Olympic debut at Sochi 2014.
Highlight: Andrew and his partner Kaitlyn Weaver skating their short dance routine at the Canadian Figuring Skating Championships.
Emma Lunder, @EmmaLunder
Sport: Biathlon
Education: Studying general social sciences at Athabasca University.
Fun fact: Her favourite quote is “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Highlight: Before leaving for the Games, Emma gives a shout-out to the BC Cadets:
@BCCadets A quick shout-out to all of the cadets participating in biathlon events this winter! pic.twitter.com/UbhpvigBUr
— Thunder Lunds (@EmmaLunder) February 2, 2018
Gilmore Junio, @cdnhappygilmore
Sport: Speed skating – long track
Education: Studying kinesiology at the University of Calgary.
Fun fact: After teammate Denny Morrison fell at the Canadian trials for Sochi, Gilmore gave up his spot for the 1000m event so that Denny could compete in Sochi. Denny went on to win silver.
Highlight: Not only is Gilmore a selfless teammate, he’s a good brother too!
Scott Gow, @Scott_Gow
Sport: Biathlon
Education: Part-time student at Athabasca University.
Fun fact: After his biathlon career, Scott would like to pursue medical school at the University of Calgary.
Highlight: Scott describes a course, as he skis it!
Heather McLean, @heathleemc
Sport: Speed skating – long track
Education: Enrolled in sociology at the University of Calgary.
Fun fact: She served as a forerunner at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, skating around the Richmond Olympic Oval to test the timing system before each event.
Highlight: Training for the Olympics is no joke!
Kaetlyn Osmond, @kaetlyn_23
Sport: Figure skating
Education: Studying communications at Athabasca University.
Fun fact: After she won the 2013 Canadian title, Marystown, NL erected signs at the three entrances to the town recognizing it as her home.
Highlight: Her silver medal performance from the 2018 Canadian Figure Skating Championships.
Nathan Smith, @smithndr
Sport: Biathlon
Education: Working towards a degree in environmental science through the University of Calgary and Athabasca University.
Fun fact: He is the first Canadian male ever to win a medal at the Biathlon World Championships.
Highlight: Nathan says his main strength is his shooting speed.
Rachel Homan, @RHoman89
Sport: Curling
Education: Pursuing a degree in education at the University of Alberta.
Fun fact: She is the youngest skip of either gender to win three national titles.
Highlight: Check out Rachel’s best shots from the 2017 Scotties Tournament of Hearts:
Josie Morrison, @morrjos
Sport: Speed skating – long track
Education: Currently a student in the University of Calgary’s faculty of science.
Fun fact: She is married to fellow Olympian Denny Morrison.
Highlight: Watch Josie (#14) in a Mass Start race:
Kaitlyn Weaver, @WeaverPoje
Sport: Figure skating – pairs
Education: Working towards a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Waterloo.
Fun fact: She co-founded the charity Skate to Great to help give all Canadian children the opportunity to get on the ice.
Highlight: Kaitlyn and her partner Andrew Poje dazzle at the 2018 Free Dance Canadian Figure Skating Championships.
Isabelle Weidemann, @i_weidemann
Sport: Speed skating – long track
Education: Studying geology at the University of Calgary.
Fun fact: She was Speed Skating Canada’s Rising Star of the Year in 2015.
Highlight: Watch Isabelle skate to victory at the ISU Single Distances WCh 2017.
Christian Gow, @christ_gow
Sport: Biathlon
Education: Studying at Athabasca University.
Fun fact: He and his older brother/role model Scott signed up for biathlon on the same day but independent of each other.
Highlight: You don’t need snow to ski!
Jordan Belchos, @jbelch89
Sport: Speed skating – long track
Education: Enrolled in urban studies at the University of Calgary.
Fun fact: Won Canada’s first ever Pan Am Games medal in roller speed skating in 2015.
Highlight: Jordan secures his Olympic spot in a 10,000m race:
Julia Ransom, @Jooliawoolia
Sport: Biathlon
Education: Studying towards her bachelor of commerce at Athabasca University.
Fun fact: Organizes a charity birthday bash every year for her niece Isla, with proceeds going to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice which provided tremendous support for Isla after she was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder when she was born; now 8 years old, Isla is her daily inspiration.
Highlight: Julia explains her 7th place finish at the IBU World Cup women’s 7.5 km sprint:
Sarah Beaudry, @sarah_beaudry
Sport: Biathlon
Education: Studying at Thompson Rivers University through its Open Learning program.
Fun fact: With the help of her mom, sewed her own racing suits for the first few years she was competing, including one that was pink and covered in flowers, giving her a reputation as “the girl with the crazy suits.”
Highlight: Sarah and teammate Emma Lunder train together, thanks to Starbucks.