This month, Triathlon Québec would like to highlight two athletes who are as inspiring on the field as they are in everyday life. Indeed, our athletes of the month are role models for inclusive sport. We are proud to present Linda Féquière and Frédéric Gauthier.

In addition to her passion for sport, Linda has succeeded in setting up a school triathlon in the Anishnabe community of Lac Simon. On the other hand, Frédéric, a visually impaired athlete, listened to his body, and after a good period of rest, returned to competition with a vengeance.

Get to know our athletes of the month. Enjoy your reading!

Q1. What are you most proud of in your recent accomplishments?

R1 – Linda:
Forging ties with the Lac Simon Anishnabe community through triathlon. I approached the band council, who accepted my project to set up a school triathlon in their community. Next year will be the 3rd edition of the Triathlon des Nations. This time, we hope to open the event up to other neighboring communities and schools, including those with an allochthonous clientele.

R1 – Frédéric
I’m happy to have been able to start training for a race again after 16 months off. Previously, in 2018, I was training three times a week. I noticed that I started to lag behind. And so I began to reduce my training until I stopped altogether. I was tired and due for a break. I only came back in April 2022. It wasn’t easy getting back into racing! From scratch, I started training again and I’m very satisfied with my performance at the Esprit de Montréal Triathlon!

Q2. Who has helped you the most so far in your athletic career? Why or why not?

R2 – Linda
Alexandre Leduc. He’s been doing triathlons for over 30 years. He taught me everything about cycling and swimming. When I started cycling, I didn’t even know how to change gears.

R2 – Frédéric
First and foremost, my wife helps me a lot. We train together, and she’s my training partner and guide. I’m the one who introduced her to running! Then there’s Éric Milot, who introduced me to triathlon! I used to do a lot of running and cycling. I was intrigued by triathlon. When I met Éric during a half-marathon, he simply said to me: “Practice and we’ll do a triathlon next year”. And so I did! In total, I did 8 triathlons with him.

Q3. Rank swimming, cycling and running in order of preference.

R3 – Linda
Cycling, running, swimming

R3 – Frédéric
Running, cycling, swimming. We start with the worst and end with my “dada”!

Q5. What is your ultimate goal?

R5 – Linda
Accompany a young aboriginal to the Olympics in triathlon or running.

R5 – Frédéric
I’m not very competitive, but I want to play sports for the rest of my life. I want to be like Canio Polosa, the 93-year-old Ontarian who still races!