Francois Hamelin

Topics

Presentations

Being a Gold Medal Olympian

Olympics

Motivation

Perserverence

Summary Profile

François Hamelin, has trained with and competed against his older brother and current World Champion, Charles, for the past ten years. François understands the emotion and added motivation that comes with competing against his brother at the Games.

Short track is a family affair for Hamelin. His father, Yves, is Canada's national team program director. François, was actually the catalyst that ignited his older brother and father's involvement in the sport. Hamelin began skating at age 5, and within a year Charles and Yves were participating as well. If not for Françoiss choice, Yves would have likely continued coaching Charles' amateur baseball team.

Known for his lightning speed and intelligent strategy, François has added considerable depth to team by helping to win the Gold Medal for the long track speed skating relay at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Hamelin, whose nickname is Frank, plans to study kinesiology when he retires from competition. He wants to stay involved with sport in some capacity. He says people tell him he is crazy for spending as much time in the gym and on the ice as he does, but he loves it. Hamelin enjoys skating in the relay because he says there is time to think more, and it is more fun as a result.