Home at last

A week has passed since Charles and François came back from the Olympics and the brothers are both really happy to be home. After living a range of emotions in front of the whole nation, the Hamelin are glad to finally be back in Montreal.  A gold medal, a fall, and another fall... The team had the potential to collect 8 medals but short track speed skating can sometimes be so cruel and things don’t always turn out the way you expected. The total of medals isn’t obviously what they had in mind, but Charles and François ensure that this Olympic experience made them bigger and stronger.

The two brothers wanted to express their feelings after these games. Thus, the two following posts were written by them.

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Competing at the Olympics is an extraordinary and unreal experience. You can come home filled with joy or with painful disappointment. But in my opinion, showing to the whole world that you have the will to win is a great achievement in itself. I started these games with the best victory in my career, I really wanted to show how our country can dominate and for that, I say mission accomplished.  The efforts made with my coaches and my teammates paid off and that moment will stay in my memory forever. The rest of the trip can be described with two words: bad luck.  In short track, anything can happen and the risks are always very high, but isn’t that what makes this sport so exciting? I had bad luck in the 1000m and 500m, but thanks to Marianne, François, my parents and the enormous support of my coaches, my teammates, the Canadian delegation and the whole country, my pain was reduced. So for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The Olympic games are now behind us but the season is not over yet.  I’m really excited to race at the World Championships that will be held on March 14, 15 and 16 in Montreal.

Regarding the question you are all asking, will I hang up my skates or continue another four years? I haven’t decided yet, I need more time to think about it... But for now, one thing is for sure, I will give my 100% at the World Championships in two weeks, believe me!

Charles

First gold medal for Charles

Charles could not have hoped for a better first day of competition at the Sochi Olympic Games. Race after race, he did everything just perfect and left no chance to his opponents.   Reaching the highest step of the podium in front of the Chinese Han Tianyu and Russian Victor Han, he won today his first gold medal of these Games. 

François has meanwhile finished second in the B final which placed him in ninth position. 

CONGRATULATIONS BOYS!

The Hamelin, finally in Russia

Olympic village

Last weekend, the Hamelin brothers lived a moment they both dreamed about for a long time. After a stay in Budapest for a preparatory camp, Charles and François finally landed in Sochi for the Olympic adventure. The trip in Hungary was very beneficial for both brothers because it allowed them to acclimate and make adjustments before the Olympics.

After a quick jet lag adaptation, François said he was surprised to feel that good during his stay in Budapest. It usually takes him more time to adjust to foreign ices and he normally needs to do several technical adjustments to his blades. François states that the genius of François Drolet, the blade technician, allows him to fully concentrate on his performance. The young Hamelin is enthusiastic, confident and ready to ​​be a part of the Olympic Games again.

Charles' drawing 

Although he found the arena in Budapest excessively cold, Charles also had a good training camp and is very pleased with his physical condition. A few days before leaving for Russia, to help contain his excitement, Charles devoted himself to another passion of his, drawing.  His teammate Jennifer Cottin who left Montreal later than the rest of the team, even brought his equipment so he can continue to draw during the Olympics.  Filled with hope, Charles can’t wait to compete in the world's most prestigious sporting event and is eager to show the world what he is capable of.

Charles and François are ready to live moments that will undoubtedly be magnificent. Let’s wish them the best of luck!