If COVID-19 ruined his chance to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in 2022, David La Rue will have the opportunity to hit the starting line this time.
Olympic trials scheduled for December 2021 in Quebec City were canceled by Speed Skating Canada (PVC) due to an outbreak of several positive cases shortly before the competition.
PVC placed its bets on the skaters who performed the best at the fall world championships. La Rue, like many others, waited for this last chance, which never came.
“It’s nice to be at least on the starting line,” he said. I am a participant in the selection. It's good that this is happening in Quebec. We mind our own business and managed to avoid the trip.
“I'm in the best shape of my career,” added La Rue, who has been plagued by various injuries in recent years. During the holiday season, I limited my contacts to avoid viruses. Hopefully this form will carry over to the ice.
La Rue will start in the 500, 1000 and 1500 metres. “I have a chance at any distance,” he said. I am pleased with my performances at the autumn World Championships.”
For the first time in eight years
La Rue set a personal best in the 1500 meters, a feat he had not achieved for eight years. “David’s best chance is in the 1,500 meters,” said Eastern Canada National Center head coach Gregor Jelonek. He was one of our best at the World Championships. David has a habit of doing well when it matters.”
In the same situation as at La Rue in 2022, where she was deprived of the chance to make her mark, Béatrice LaMarche is in an excellent position this time. “She’s burning,” Jelonek imagined. Having pre-qualified for the Games in the 500m and 1000m, she will try her luck in the 1500m but is back in training after a short break after returning from Europe and the aim is for her to be at her peak in Italy rather than later in the week for the trials.
LaMarche notably won her first individual World Championship medal, a feat achieved by only two other Quebecers in history. She lives at 5e place in the overall standings at a distance of 1000 m and 8e place more than 500 m.
Antoine Gelinas-Beaulieu, who has pre-qualified for the Milan-Cortina mass start where he will compete in his second Games after Beijing, will take to the starting line in the 1500m on Monday.
