Stéphanie Leclair announces her retirement

Gatineau, November 7, 2014 – Synchro Canada would like to thank and congratulate its newly retired athlete Stéphanie Leclair (Gatineau, QC) who announced her retirement today.

From Gatineau, QC, Stéphanie Leclair won the first medal of her life at her second competition at the age of 5. At age 15, she moved to Montreal to continue her development in a new synchronized swimming club. Three years later, in 2008, she was selected for the Junior National Team and she won a bronze medal in duet at the FINA Junior World Championships. In 2009, she was selected for the Senior National Team.

In 2012 in London, Stéphanie was part of the Canadian Olympic team that finished 4th. “It was an honour for me to proudly represent my country in London. These Olympics were truly a dream come true for me since I had promised my mother, at my very first competition, that I would one day go to the Olympics.”

She also represented Canada at the 2013, 2011 and 2009 FINA World Aquatic Championships where she won 2 bronze medal in the combo events, at the 2010 FINA World Cup where she won two bronze medals in the team and combo events, and was part of the Canadian Team champion of the 2009 FINA World Trophy.

“Today, I want to let you know that I am taking a new life path and that I will be retiring from synchronized swimming”, announced Leclair in Gatineau today. “As I look back, all the joys and laughing I’ve had during my career are coming back to me and I can assure you that they are going to be in my heart for a long time. Lots of challenges are waiting for me outside the pool and it’s with a nostalgic heart, but a clear mind that I’m now focusing on my new goals. I’d also like to thank my parents, all the coaches I’ve had over the years as well as Synchro Canada’s sponsors for making my career possible.”

“On behalf of all Synchro Canada’s members, I would like to thank Stéphanie for her contribution to Canadian synchronized swimming”, said Synchro Canada’s Senior National Team Head Coach, Meng Chen. “She’s always been a great representative for synchronized swimming and a fantastic ambassador of our sport during all her career. We can never understate all the sacrifices athletes make to reach their personal goals, and we are glad that Stéphanie’s hard work and dedication have allowed her to reach her full potential.”

About Synchro Canada

Synchro Canada is the national organization governing synchronized swimming in Canada. It represents 10 provincial associations, a territorial association, as well as some 150 clubs and 12,000 members across Canada. A member of FINA, the world’s governing aquatic sports organization, Synchro Canada promotes the quest for excellence by developing the athletes, citizens and ambassadors of the sport of synchronized swimming at every level.

Synchro Canada would like to thank its sponsors:

Program partners: Sport Canada, Own The Podium, the Institut national du sport du Québec

Official Aquatic Supplier: Speedo Canada

Official make up: MAKE UP FOR EVER

Official suppliers: Knox Gelatine, AdUp, National Car Rental

Official hotel: Hilton Hotels Canada

For further information, visit Synchro Canada’s Website at www.synchro.ca or follow Synchro Canada on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

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For information:

Stéphane Côté

Synchro Canada

Communications Coordinator