Community & Current Events
Team Canada speed skaters: François and Charles Hamelin
Photography courtesy of The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes Image by: Photography courtesy of The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes
Community & Current Events
Team Canada speed skaters: François and Charles Hamelin
Hometown: Sainte-Julie, QC
Twitter: @FrankHamelin and @Speedskater01
Sibling rivalry is taken to a whole new level when it involves going for gold. But speed skating brothers François and Charles Hamelin take their competition in stride—literally. "On the ice we are competitors, but we leave the rivalry there," says Charles. "Off the ice, we spend a lot of time together and try to help each other the most we can."
François introduced the pair to the sport after their mother asked them to expend energy outside the house and they've been dedicated ever since. At the Vancouver Games, Charles, the eldest, won two gold medals, one for the 500-metre and one for the 5,000-metre relay, a team which François was also a part of, placing the brothers on the podium together. These wins add to Charles's collection of World Championship medals and an Olympic silver medal for the 5,000-metre relay in Turin.
François is gaining speed on his brother. He placed fifth in the 1,000-metre race at the 2010 Games and has a 2010 World Championship silver medal in the 500 metre.
Support on and off the ice is key. "Corporate sponsorship allows us to focus on training and enabled our family to experience the Vancouver Olympics. This year, Tide Pods, Duracell and Swiffer are giving us the support we need," says Charles.
Meet more of our Team Canada athletes.
Twitter: @FrankHamelin and @Speedskater01
Sibling rivalry is taken to a whole new level when it involves going for gold. But speed skating brothers François and Charles Hamelin take their competition in stride—literally. "On the ice we are competitors, but we leave the rivalry there," says Charles. "Off the ice, we spend a lot of time together and try to help each other the most we can."
François introduced the pair to the sport after their mother asked them to expend energy outside the house and they've been dedicated ever since. At the Vancouver Games, Charles, the eldest, won two gold medals, one for the 500-metre and one for the 5,000-metre relay, a team which François was also a part of, placing the brothers on the podium together. These wins add to Charles's collection of World Championship medals and an Olympic silver medal for the 5,000-metre relay in Turin.
François is gaining speed on his brother. He placed fifth in the 1,000-metre race at the 2010 Games and has a 2010 World Championship silver medal in the 500 metre.
Support on and off the ice is key. "Corporate sponsorship allows us to focus on training and enabled our family to experience the Vancouver Olympics. This year, Tide Pods, Duracell and Swiffer are giving us the support we need," says Charles.
Meet more of our Team Canada athletes.
| This story was originally titled "The Dynamic Duo" in the February 2014 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue! |
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