Marc Gagnon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Personal information
Born	(1975-05-24) May 24, 1975 (age 50) Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada
Sport
Sport	Short track speed skating
Medal record Men's short track speed skating Representing  Canada Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 3 0 2 World Championships 14 10 5 World Team Championships 5 1 0 Olympic Games Gold 1998 Nagano 5000 m relay Gold 2002 Salt Lake City 500 m Gold 2002 Salt Lake City 5000 m relay Bronze 1994 Lillehammer 1000 m Bronze 2002 Salt Lake City 1500 m World Championships Gold 1993 Beijing Overall Gold 1993 Beijing 1000 m Gold 1994 Guildford Overall Gold 1994 Guildford 1000 m Gold 1995 Gjøvik 1000 m Gold 1995 Gjøvik 5000 m relay Gold 1996 The Hague Overall Gold 1996 The Hague 1500 m Gold 1997 Nagano 1500 m Gold 1998 Vienna Overall Gold 1998 Vienna 1500 m Gold 1998 Vienna 1000 m Gold 1998 Vienna 5000 m relay Gold 2001 Jeonju 1500 m Silver 1993 Beijing 500 m Silver 1994 Guildford 1500 m Silver 1995 Gjøvik Overall Silver 1996 The Hague 1000 m Silver 1996 The Hague 3000 m Silver 1996 The Hague 5000 m relay Silver 1997 Nagano Overall Silver 1997 Nagano 5000 m relay Silver 2001 Jeonju 3000 m Silver 2001 Jeonju 5000 m relay Bronze 1993 Beijing 3000 m Bronze 1994 Guildford 3000 m Bronze 1994 Guildford 5000 m relay Bronze 1997 Nagano 3000 m Bronze 2001 Jeonju Overall World Team Championships Gold 1995 Zoetermeer Team Gold 1996 Lake Placid Team Gold 1998 Bormio Team Gold 2000 The Hague Team Gold 2001 Nobeyama Team Silver 1994 Cambridge Team

Marc Gagnon, born on May 24, 1975, is a famous Canadian former short track speed skater. He was one of the best in the world! Marc won the title of "Overall World Champion" four times. He also earned three amazing gold medals at the Olympic Games.

Marc Gagnon's Speed Skating Journey

Marc Gagnon was born in Chicoutimi, Quebec. He started his Olympic journey in 1994. Before that, he had already won the World Championships in 1993. At the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, he won a bronze medal in the 1000 meter race.

Olympic Success

Four years later, in 1998, Marc competed in Nagano, Japan. There, he won a gold medal as part of the Canadian relay team. The relay race involves a team of skaters working together.

The 2002 Salt Lake City Games were Marc's most successful Olympics. He won a total of three medals! He earned a bronze medal in the 1500 meter event. He also won two gold medals. One was in the 500 meter race, and the other was again with the relay team.

Marc's disqualification in the 1000 meter race at those games was quite memorable. It was part of a series of unexpected events. These events led to Australian Steven Bradbury winning a very surprising gold medal.

A Decorated Canadian Athlete

With five medals from three Olympic Games, Marc Gagnon was once the most decorated Canadian athlete in Winter Olympic history. This record stood until 2006. Later, other speed skaters like Cindy Klassen, Clara Hughes, and Charles Hamelin surpassed him. They each have six Olympic medals.

Marc is also tied with a few other athletes as one of the most decorated Canadians in all Olympic Games. This includes track and field athlete Phil Edwards and fellow short track speed skater François-Louis Tremblay.

World Championship Wins

Marc Gagnon also had incredible success at the World Championships. He won the "Overall World Champion" title in 1993, 1994, 1996, and 1998. He was the first man to win this title four times! Besides his gold medals, he also finished second twice and third once at these championships.

Awards and Recognition

Marc Gagnon's amazing career has been recognized with important awards. In 2007, he was welcomed into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. The next year, in 2008, he was also inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. These honors celebrate his incredible achievements in speed skating.