Feb 17, 2018
Girard wins gold in men's 1000m short track final
Canadian Samuel Girard wins gold in men’s 1000m short track speed skating, his first career Olympic medal. The Ferland-et-Boilleau, Que., native finished in one minute 24.650 seconds in his Olympic debut. John-Henry Krueger of the U.S., took silver while Seo Yira of South Korea collected bronze.
The Canadian Press
GANGENUNG, Korea, Republic Of — Canada's Samuel Girard has won gold in men's 1,000-metre short-track speedskating at the Pyeongchang Winter Games.
The Ferland-et-Boilleau, Que., native finished in one minute 24.650 seconds in his Olympic debut.
"I think I'm not realizing right now. I think I will realize a little later," Girard said. "For now I'm just enjoying the moment. For my family, my coach, I'm really, really happy right now."
John-Henry Krueger of the U.S., took silver while Seo Yira of South Korea collected bronze.
Girard, 21, had finished fourth in his semifinal but advanced when fellow Canadian Charles Hamelin of Sainte-Julie, Que., was assessed a penalty.
"Just before the race he (Hamelin) said to me, 'Let's go, you can do this'. He gave me a tap on the back. We train together, all the team was behind me on this medal," Girard said.
Girard finished just off the podium earlier in the Games in the 1,500.