Samuel Girard is living his Olympic dream

Samuel Girard has been on skates since he was four-years-old. It was his parents who wanted him to learn to skate and accidently enrolled him at a speed skating club. After his first year skating they asked him if he wanted to try proper long blade speed skates. He said yes, and and he hasn't looked back since.

The Ferland-et-Boilleau, QC native was watching from the stands four years ago at the last Olympic trials. This time around Girard has won seven of nine races to earn himself a trip to his first Olympic Games. 

The 2017 short track skater of the year has been referred to as the next Charles Hamelin but is quick to clarify that he is simply Samuel Girard and his career will be his own. 

Taking control of his career and his success means a lot to the 21-year-old who retreats to the woods of Quebec -  his favourite place to be to relax and recharge. He does so with Kasandra Bradette, his partner who is also a first time member of Team Canada's Olympic short track team. 

Samuel Girard started his skating career at age 4

7 years ago

Duration 1:25

The short track speed skater is from a town with no arena or skating club so him and his family had to travel to find a club.

Get to know Ferland-et-Boilleau

• Ferland-et-Boilleau is 20 kilometers south of the Saguenay River and is part of the municipality of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
• The Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean municipality has an economy based on logging and vacationing.
• Notable athletes from Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean include: Mario Tremblay, Marc Gagnon and Michel Goulet