Mr. Speaker, our Canadian athletes have already been living the Olympic dream for some days already in Salt Lake City, where they are all doing their utmost to come home with those precious medals which instill pride in us all. Among those representing us are four young people from Laval.
Tania Goulet, a young woman speed skater from Sainte-Dorothée, who came back from Nagano, Japan, with an Olympic bronze in the 3000 meter relay short track, will be aiming for another trip to the podium for Canada.
Along with her in the 3000 meter relay short track will be Amélie Goulet Nadon, also from Laval.
Pascal Richard, an RCMP constable who grew up in Sainte-Dorothée, will be enjoying his very first Olympic adventure. He will be competing in the skeleton run, at speeds of close to 140 kilometers an hour.
Erik Desjardins, a sledge hockey player, will be competing in the Paralympics for the first time. These will be held March 7 though 16 in Salt Lake City.
All of us wish our athletes good luck. For these few days, they are giving us the opportunity to live the Olympic dream along with them.