Key Takeaways:
- Marion Thénault fell in love with aerials after attending an RBC Training Ground event and trying the sport for the first time.
- She overcame financial challenges and learned to ski in a short amount of time, thanks to her gymnastics background and determination.
- Thénault has achieved significant success in her sport, including finishing seventh in the women’s event at the Beijing Olympics and winning three World Cup titles.
- Despite her success, Thénault still faces financial challenges and relies on donor support to continue competing at a high level.
- The Canadian Olympic Foundation and donor funding play a crucial role in supporting athletes like Thénault, allowing them to focus on training and competing.
Introduction to Aerials
I fell in love with aerials from the moment I tried it. As a former gymnast, I had a strong foundation in terms of strength, discipline, and courage, but I had never skied before. However, after attending an RBC Training Ground event in my hometown of Sherbrooke, Québec, I was invited to try aerials by a coach who saw potential in me. Despite the initial challenge of not knowing how to ski, I was determined to learn and pursue this new passion. I trained in the pool over the summer and learned to ski in the winter, and my coach believed in me from the start, telling me that we could go to the Olympics in 2022 if I poured my heart and soul into the sport.
Overcoming Financial Challenges
There are financial challenges that come with being a Team Canada athlete. When I started out, my family used the money they had saved for my education to cover training and competition costs. I had to buy summer skis and move away from home at 17 to be near the training centre. However, my gymnastics background gave me the strength, discipline, and courage to progress quickly, and within four years of putting skis on for the first time, I was at the Olympic Games representing Canada. In Beijing, I finished seventh in the women’s event, and our mixed aerial team placed third. Since then, I’ve won three World Cup titles, including one at home in Canada in 2023.
The Importance of Donor Support
But even now, as one of the top aerialists, the financial reality is daunting. And that’s why I’m so thankful for your support. Team Canada athletes are working tirelessly toward the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, but we can’t do it alone. Please consider a donation to support us on our path to the podium. Even in individual sports, success is a team effort. Imagine what we could do if we had the whole nation behind us. The sport demands everything from me – physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’m attempting the hardest tricks in the world, which come with real risks. I choose to do them because I want to reach my full potential and inspire others to do the same.
The Impact of Donor Funding
As a recipient of funding through the Canadian Olympic Foundation, I know the impact donor support has on athletes. Your contributions mean I can focus on training and competing, instead of worrying about expenses. Donor funding allows me to attend specialized training camps, access the best coaches, and compete against the best in the world. But it’s more than that. Your support gives me strength. Knowing Canadians are behind me gives me the courage to keep pushing my limits and perfecting the most challenging jumps in my sport. It reminds me that I’m not just doing this for myself – I’m representing a country that believes in its athletes.
The Power of Olympic Spirit
The Olympics bring us together as a nation. The Games are a rare moment where we celebrate sport – and celebrate what Canadians are capable of when we dream big and work hard. Thank you for cheering us on. The louder you cheer, the higher we jump! Your support makes a difference in ways you can see – on the podium – and ways that you can’t: in our confidence, our focus, and our ability to keep pushing for greatness. As we make the final push toward Milano Cortina 2026, please consider donating today. Together, we can create new Canadian Olympic moments, inspire the next generation, and show the world what we can achieve.
Conclusion and Gratitude
With your help, Team Canada will continue to thrive – on the slopes, on the ice, and in the hearts of Canadians everywhere. I am grateful for the support of Canadians like you, who believe in me and my fellow athletes. Your support means the world to us, and we are honored to represent Canada on the world stage. As I look to the future and the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, I am filled with excitement and gratitude. I know that with the support of Canadians, I can achieve great things and make our country proud. Thank you for being part of my journey and for believing in me. With gratitude, Marion Thénault, Olympic Medallist and World Champion in Freestyle Skiing – Aerials.