Charles Hamelin

Born to Yves Hamelin and Manon Goulet in Lévis, Quebec, Charles Hamelin began his trek toward stardom in Canada as a short track speed skater. Being born into a skating family helped Hamelin gain valuable experience as he marched toward completing his goals. He made his debut at the World Junior Championships in 2002, finishing fourth in the 500-meter and helping the relay team win a silver medal. In 2003 he had a breakout year, as he finished second in the 500-meter, second in the 1,500-meter, fourth in the 1,000-meter and fifth in the super 1,500-meter, which earned him a fourth place overall finish at the World Junior Championships. He also helped the relay team to a bronze in the 5,000-meter relay. Hamelin continued his success in the 2004-2005 season when he finished third overall in the 500-meter, fourth in the 1,000-meter, fifth in the 1,500-meter, and fifth overall in the World Cup. He also skated on the relay team, which finished first in the final standings. The highlight of that season came at the 2005 World Championships, in which he managed to win a silver medal in the 500-meter, and acquired two fourth-place finishes in the 1,000-meter and 3,000-meter events, earning him a fourth-place finish in the overall standings. Hamelin went on to compete in the 2006 Winter Olympics, securing his first Olympic medal when he received a silver medal as part of the men's 5,000-meter relay squad. Later that year, he won the gold medal in the 3,000-meter event at the World Championships. In 2007 he became the 500-meter world champion, and over the next three years, the 500-meter race became his strongest event. He won the silver medal in the following year's competition before once again becoming the 500-meter world champion in 2009. At the 2010 Winter Olympics in his home country of Canada, Hamelin competed in four events, winning gold medals in the 500-meter individual event and the 5,000-meter relay. Although he competed in the 2010 World Championships, he failed to medal in any event, but he did win a silver medal at the 2010 World Team Championships. He got back on track during the 2011 season and won a gold medal in the relay and three silvers for individual performances, helping him earn a second place overall finish. Trying to get through nagging injuries in the 2012 season, Hamelin managed to secure a silver medal in the 500-meter at the World Championships and a bronze in the 1,000-meter. He was injured in a fall and did not compete in the men's relay final but was still awarded a gold medal for his participation in the semifinal. At the Olympics in Sochi in 2014, he continued his winning ways by taking the gold medal in the 1,500-meter. In August 2017, Hamelin was named to Canada's 2018 Winter Olympics team.