Lavallers Virginie Chenier and Léa Thibault receive Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence bursary

CNW/ - Hydro-Québec and the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence announced the names of the 33 student-athletes from across the province to whom were awarded a total of $87,500 thanks to the 14th edition of the company's bursary program.

Hydro-Québec awarded bursaries to the amount of $1,750 to 16 athletes identified as Hopefuls and bursaries to the amount of $3,500 to 17 athletes in the Elite category. The recipients, who come from different regions of Québec, were recommended by their respective provincial sport federations.
In Laval Virginie Chenier (Archery) and Léa Thibault (Short and long track speed skating) received each one a $1750 bursary.

"One of the Foundation's goals is to step in and provide financial support to young student-athletes earlier in their career. This allows them to step onto the world stage and to gain experience outside of Canada at a young age, be it through training camps or competitions. We praise Hydro-Québec for trusting these student-athletes so early in their development. They will be able to follow their evolution year after year." said Mr. Claude Chagnon, President of the Foundation.
One of the objectives of the Hydro-Québec program is to help young competitors in their quest to reach the international and Olympic levels in their sport. Many past recipients of the Hydro-Québec bursary program have distinguished themselves on the international stage such as Joannie Rochette, bronze medallist in figure skating at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics; François-Louis Tremblay, gold medallist in the relay and bronze medallist in the 500 m event in short track speed skating at the 2010 Olympics and Jennifer Abel who recently won a silver medal at the 3 m synchronized event (with Emilie Heymans) and a bronze medal at the individual 3 m event during the 2011 World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai.
“Hydro-Québec is proud to support young athletes who come from different regions of Québec. Their tenacity, perseverance and determination are qualities that have contributed to making these athletes role models in their respective communities. We are happy that our contribution to the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence helps young athletes rise onto the national and international scenes as their athletic talent emerges.” commented the Vice-President - Corporate Affairs and Secretary General of Hydro-Québec, Mrs. Marie-José Nadeau.

Eligibility criteria
The student-athlete must participate in a post-career project, which is often the pursuit of secondary, collegial or university studies. In addition to being identified by their sport federations as "hopefuls" or "elite", the bursary recipients must be eligible to represent Canada at the Olympic or Paralympic Games and World Championships in their respective disciplines. The Hydro-Québec bursaries are awarded to at least one athlete from each of the company's nine administrative regions.