When Olivier Leclerc, 15, sits in front of me, he is still under the effect of adrenaline.
“We celebrated a lot sometimes on the ground,” he says.
A few minutes earlier, Olivier was in a crowded gymnasium and above all highlighted from the UQTR sports center, to play the bronze medal match in interior volleyball at the Quebec Games. At each point, the crowd exploded. Olivier and his East-du-Québec teammates made an unlikely ascent to win the medal.
The parents and spectators of East-du-Québec were euphoric. They have made a hedge of honor to the 10 teenagers, who will remember that day all their life.
On the occasion of the Quebec Games, which have been holding for a week in Trois-Rivières, we wanted to talk about sport with six 15-year-old teens who participate in this big party.
Olivier Leclerc (East-du-Québec, Volleyball), Rose Bélanger (East-du-Québec, Athletics), Annabelle Lavigne (Estrie, Artistic swimming), Jérémie Mazerolle (Estrie, Volleyball), Maélie Gervais (Mauricie, Mountain Bike) and Benjamin Prince (Mauricie, Triathlon) have all triped on their experience in Quebec. But what they most appreciated was not the medals or personal records. It is the unique atmosphere of games.
Photo Charles William Pelletier, special collaboration
Jérémie Mazerolle, Saint-Denis-de-Brompton, Estrie, Volleyball
It’s extraordinary. We make friends in other regions. On the field, we feel competition, but it remains polite. Leaving the field, we talk, we laugh, we will encourage other regions, we wish each other luck.
Jérémie Mazerolle, Saint-Denis-de-Brompton, Estrie, Volleyball
“My friends from other regions [en vélo de montagne] We are all there, we talk to everyone, we walk in the streets chanting the cries of our region, ”says Maélie.
Rose has shiny eyes when she talks about the opening ceremony of the games, where the 1,700 athletes of the first competition block paraded by regions in a Videotron skilful Colosseum. “The opening ceremony, when we were waiting to enter together, it was hot,” she said. It puts us in the atmosphere of the games. You know you are at the games! »»
For nine days, 3,500 teenagers aged 12 to 17 meet in Trois-Rivières for the 59e Final of the Quebec Games, which end on Sunday. In the evening, they sleep in secondary school classes, CEGEP and the university. When they are not in action, they furnish their free time to encourage other teams or have fun in the village of athletes.
We thought it was a great opportunity to discover what place occupies sport in the life of these teens …
Photo Charles William Pelletier, special collaboration
Benjamin Prince, Trois-Rivières, Mauricie, Triathlon
If I don’t play a sport for a day, I’m going to crash, I’m going to be more marabout.
Benjamin Prince, Trois-Rivières, Mauricie, Triathlon
It must be in a good mood these days, because it represents Mauricie in triathlon at the games. He arrived eighth.
“Why the triathlon, Benjamin?”
– I had the hype For that. »»
What, Benjamin? There hype. For old people and people like me who are not cool, have the hypethat means being excited, being passionate about something. End of linguistics lesson.
“You have been doing triathlon for a long time, Benjamin?”
– Two and a half months. I was not bad in the race, I started the bike, and it’s been two and a half months since I swim. I have always done a lot of sport, but never so intensely. »»
Rose, she is in her third games in Quebec. She participated twice in the winter games, in curling. For the past two years, she has also been athletics. At Trois-Rivières Games, the teenager from Rivière-du-Loup, among other things, ran the 100 meters and the 400 meters. After the games, she will rest in … starting late her soccer season.
Photo Charles William Pelletier, special collaboration
Rose Bélanger, Rivière-du-Loup, East-du-Québec, Athletics
Sport takes a big place in my life. I tried a lot of all sports, younger, to keep the ones I preferred.
Rose Bélanger, Rivière-du-Loup, East-du-Québec, Athletics
“My friends also play sports. We are a small gang of athletes, ”she says.
The six teenagers note the positive impact of sport in their lives.
Photo Charles William Pelletier, special collaboration
Annabelle Lavigne, Sherbrooke, Estrie, Artistic Swimming
I spend energy, I really like the social aspect, and it helps me to stay organized.
Annabelle Lavigne, Sherbrooke, Estrie, Artistic Swimming
“My life would be flat without sport. It brings me happiness, it allows me to spend energy, to spend time with my friends, to surpass myself, “says Jérémie, who would like to be part of a college and university sports team, in volleyball or basketball (he participated in the basketball games two years ago).
Photo Charles William Pelletier, special collaboration
Maélie Gervais, Trois-Rivières, Mauricie, mountain bike
There are unforeseen events in life and sport. Mountain bike races, it’s not going well all the time. We must be able to manage our disappointments.
Maélie Gervais, Trois-Rivières, Mauricie, mountain bike
Last year, Rose injured and could not do sports for seven months. “I found it hard,” she said.
“Sport is what forces me to stay straight, that is what holds me to school, that’s what I like,” says Olivier, who stands straight like a stake on his chair.
Photo Charles William Pelletier, special collaboration
Olivier Leclerc, Lac-au-Saumon, East-du-Québec, Volleyball
It makes me waste the energy I have too much, and it keeps me healthy.
Olivier Leclerc, Lac-au-Saumon, East-du-Québec, Volleyball
It’s weird to say, but talking about sport and their games to these six teenagers did me a lot of good.
For a few hours, I forgot Trump, politics, the housing crisis, Gaza, the foul atmosphere of social networks, did I mention Trump …
Olivier, Rose, Annabelle, Jérémie, Maélie and Benjamin have shiny eyes when they talk about sport.
They are positive, lit, curious, intense.
They are beautiful to see.
And they have the future ahead of them.
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