Turcotte retires.

[bubblebuttsbabe]

canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5g26IH5EodvNnrATSP0IgTWf21NeA

Short-track speedskater Mathieu Turcotte announces retirement

SHERBROOKE, Que — Three-time Olympic speedskating medallist Mathieu Turcotte is calling it a career.

The 31-year-old short-track skater made the announcement Thursday at a news conference in his hometown of Sherbrooke. "After putting a lot of thought into it, I decided to stop skating," Turcotte said in a release. "I had a wonderful career, but it's time to move on."

A 10-year veteran of the Canadian team, Turcotte said he plans to focus on his company APEX.

"I now wish to focus on my speedskating boot company, which allows me to stay involved in this sport I am so passionate about," he said.

He won a gold medal in the relay and a bronze in the 1,000 metres at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. He added a relay silver to his collection at the 2006 Turin Games.

The former world champion and his teammates still hold the relay world record.

Speed Skating Canada calls Turcotte's retirement a big loss for the Canadian team.

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Good Luck, Mathieu! We'll miss you! It's been a pleasure watching you skate! (Is it bad that I thought he already retired? LOL.)

[bubblebuttsbabe]

Another article.

www.cbc.ca/sports/amateur/story/2008/07/03/turcotte-retirement.html

[Lori]

Thanks, BBB - I remember hearing awhile back either that he had retired, or was expected to retire soon. He didn't skate in any of the World Cups last year.

Also, I had forgotten that he was part of Apolo's Nascar-style pileup in the 2002 1000-meter 'Scramble for Silver' - he got the bronze just behind Apolo (pictures below).

How wonderful for him that he has a way to stay involved in ST!

Another pretty Canadian gone... MT will be so sad. This one's for you, MT (originally from Ruff, in the 'Canadians' thread)

EDIT: *slaps forehead* MT (wherever you are), does your screen name stand for Mathieu Turcotte???

May 1, 2006 21:45:11 GMT -5 Ruffian of Old said:

*Gratuitous butt shots*


He looks so, "All American" there...Oddly enough


The only one without hat hair, thankyouverymuch!






That's one shiny armpit.






That one cracks me up.
Apolo: You're bootyful!!!
Mathieu: I know.


Mathieu is pretty much butt naked in this shot, right? Sorta unfocus your eyes and lean back. You'll see what I mean. ;D

(BTW, Is it me, or do the canadians have the FUGLIEST SKIN SUITS EVER?! Canada needs to get that %$#^ under control.)

[susie]

Thanks for that walk down memory lane, Lori. (...and Ruffian! Where are ya', girl?) I'm feelin' the Canadian love. The "pocket Adonis" will be missed.

[tdav]

Are Bedard and Tremblay still skating?

[Lori]

Jul 3, 2008 21:34:59 GMT -5 tdav said:

Are Bedard and Tremblay still skating?

Bedard didn't skate in the World Cup circuit last year, and he's over 30 now, so I'm guessing he's retired (but don't know for sure). Tremblay, however, did skate in the early World Cups but sadly did not make the team for Quebec and SLC, much to the disappointment of those who attended... Tremblay and Ahn were huge voids in the lineup that weekend.

[bubblebuttsbabe]

Jul 3, 2008 21:34:59 GMT -5 tdav said:

Are Bedard and Tremblay still skating?

bedard retired at the same time as rusty after worlds in 2006 (i remember cause i was there. lol).

however, i don't think he made it official until the beg. of the following season.

flou is still skating to my knowledge.

[A.O.Freak]

Mathieu Turcotte will be missed.. He's not even old,i feel he could of done 2 or 3 more years of this fantastic sport. These short track skaters really do work out their butt muscles,dont they...

[tabatha]

Mathieu Turcotte I'm gonna miss you. All the best to him. I thought he had retired prior to this as well.