Charles Hamelin

Famous relatives	His younger brother Francois won gold in short track in the 5000m relay at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. His father Yves was the team leader of the Canadian short track squad at the 2014 Games in Sochi. His mother Manon Goulet is the cousin of NHL Hall of Fame player Michel Goulet, who represented the Quebec Nordiques and Chicago Blackhawks. (Facebook profile, 21 Sep 2017; NOC Media Guide, 2014; olympic.org, 18 Dec 2013; theglobeandmail.com, 31 Jul 2013; speedskating.ca, 02 Jan 2011; cbc.ca, 04 Jan 2010)
Injuries	He had a severe ankle sprain during the early stage of the 2019/20 season, which kept him out for several weeks. (Athlete, 05 Feb 2020; lapresse.ca, 19 Nov 2019) In 2019 he was off the ice for four weeks with bursitis in his left knee. (lapresse.ca, 19 Nov 2019; lareleve.qc.ca, 16 Nov 2019) In August 2013 he injured a ligament in his left ankle. (cbc.ca, 29 Sep 2013) In November 2009 he crashed into the boards in a World Cup 1000m qualifying race in Michigan, United States of America. He struck his head and was cut by skates, forcing him to pull out of the competition as a precaution. (cbc.ca, Jan 04 2010)
Memorable sporting achievement	Winning the overall title at the 2018 World Championships in Montreal, QC, Canada. (Athlete, 05 Feb 2020)

www.frereshamelin.com/
www.facebook.com/charleshamelin01/
twitter.com/Speedskater01

Club / Team	Les Fines Lames de Ste-Julie: Canada
Name of coach	Sebastien Cros [national], FRA
When and where did you begin this sport?	He began skating in 1994 in Sainte-Julie, QC, Canada.
Reason for choosing this sport	"I got to skate with my brother Francois' club at Christmas and on other holidays. It was a lot of fun and I really liked the thrill of the ice. It was like a family event every time we went to the rink. Everyone would pile into the car and it was just about having fun and skating fast and doing the best we could."

Other information	RETIREMENT THOUGHTS He considered retiring from the sport after the 2017/18 season, but decided to continue competing with a view to helping to develop the next generation of Canadian short track skaters. "I believe I still have something to give to the new generation of skaters, to the sport of short track and to Canada. That's the main reason why I'm continuing short track. I feel that I can bring the kids to another level by giving examples of what to do in practice and competition, making sure that they're following a path that might help them reach the highest level as fast as they can. [I want to] do everything I can to make short track better in Canada. I still love my sport and have the desire to win. The next generation is very strong and they are ready to compete at the international level. But the lack of experience might be what is missing right now, so yes, in a way, I'm here to ensure a good transition. But I wouldn't keep skating if the love for my sport wasn't there." (cbc.ca, 08 Nov 2019, 20 Mar 2018; olympics.nbcsports.com, 15 Mar 2018)
Most influential person in career	Canadian short track skater Derrick Campbell, and his father. (Athlete, 05 Feb 2020, 13 Nov 2018)
Hero / Idol	Swiss tennis player Roger Federer. (Athlete, 05 Feb 2020)
Sporting philosophy / motto	"Believe in yourself." (Athlete, 05 Feb 2020)
Ambitions	To compete at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. (lareleve.qc.ca, 16 Nov 2019)
Milestones	At age 33 years and 314 days, he became the oldest male short track athlete from any nation to have won an Olympic medal by claiming bronze in the 5000m relay at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (SportsDeskOnline, 06 Jan 2020; cbc.ca, 20 Mar 2018; olympics.nbcsports.com, 15 Mar 2018)
Awards and honours	He received the Marc Gagnon Award from Speed Skating Canada on 10 occasions between 2005 and 2016. The award recognises the Canadian Male Short Track Athlete of the Year. (speedskating.ca, 01 Jan 2019, 22 Jan 2018)