Alexandre Bilodeau is one French Canadian that is getting a lot of attention in the media right now. The reason for this is because he is the first Canadian athlete to receive an Olympic Gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Before this rising star took the podium, in past Olympic Games, Canadian athletes failed to take home a gold medal, making Canada the only host to never have won a gold medal on their own soil. But, Bilodeau marked the first man in history to change this.
Bilodeau competes in men's moguls, one of the most thrilling and stunt-driven events in Winter Sports, and on Sunday February 14th, he beat out Australian star Dale Begg-Smith at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The 22 year old from Rosemere Quebec, has had a successful career in mogul skiing, ranking second in the world in 2005-2006, and having been named FIS rookie of the year. In the 2006-2007 season he finished 3rd, and in the 2007-2008 season he finished in 4th place. This past ski season Bilodeau took home 5 golds and 3 silvers in various ski championships.
But Bilodeau's career cannot go unnoticed with the amazing performance he made at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games this past Sunday. It was not only an amazing win for him, but for his whole country. Canadian fans cheered at Cypress Mountain as Bilodeau stepped to the top of the podium throwing his arms in the air as the crowd roared for him in excitement. But in an interview Bilodeau's humble nature had him saying "it's too good to be true."
I honestly don't think Canada could ask for a better athlete to have won the first gold. Bilodeau takes all the fame he has been receiving with a grain of salt, and gives as much credit for his win to his family, his brother who has been his greatest supporter, and his fans. He also never fails to acknowledge all the other Canadian athletes that have been victorious including silver medalist Jennifer Heil in the women's moguls, and Kristina Groves who won bronze for long track speed skating that same day.
Bilodeau looks forward to cheering on all his fellow athletes for the rest of the events at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and tells everyone that for him, "it's just the beginning."
