Charles Hamelin

Charles Hamelin had his international debut in short track speed skating in 2002 at the World Junior Championships, where he earned a silver medal with the 5,000m relay team. The following year he took bronze in that same event, in addition to silver in the 500m and 1,500m competitions at the 2003 World Junior Championships. He attended his first senior-level World Championships in 2004, but did not earn any medals. His situation changed significantly in 2005, however, when he won gold medals in the 5,000m relay and team competitions, as well as silver in the 500m event and qualified for the 5,000m relay and 1,500m competitions at the 2006 Winter Olympics. He placed second and fourth in those events respectively, and then took two gold medals (3,000m, 5,000m relay) and bronze (1000m) at that year’s World Championships.

His most successful season came next, when he won second place overall at the 2007 World Championships with gold in the 500m and team competitions and silver in the 1,000m and 5,000m relay events. He slowed slightly in 2008, winning silver in the 500m and team competitions at the World Championships, but was back in full form by 2009, winning third place overall with a gold medal in the 500m event, silver in the team competitions, and bronze in the 3,000m contest. He was a prominent medal hope for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics, held on home soil, and he did not disappoint, winning the 500m competition and the 5,000m relay alongside his brother François, among others. After failing to win any medals at the 2010 World Championships, however, he has begun preparations to compete successfully at longer individual distances at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Outside of this, he has also made plans to obtain a degree in kinesiology after his retirement.