Sprinter Audrey Leduc and basketball player Ismaël Diouf were crowned athletes par excellence of the 73e edition of the Rouge et Or athlete’s Gala presented Wednesday evening at PEPS.
Gold medalist at the USports Canadian Championships in Alberta in the 60m, Leduc was crowned the outstanding track athlete on the national scene after earning the same honor at the RSEQ. With a time of 7 s 22, the sprinter established a new Quebec mark, only missing the Canadian record by 0 s 03.
As for Diouf, he was selected MVP of the Canadian championship after leading the Rouge et Or to the first national title in its history.
Photo courtesy, Mathieu Bélanger
If she is already qualified for the Paris Olympic Games by virtue of her amazing time of 10 s 96 achieved in Baton Rouge, Louisiana two weeks ago, Leduc attached great importance to her selection as the athlete par excellence of the Rouge et Or.
“I improved all my marks this year under the colors of the Rouge et Or which is a family for me and I am happy to be recognized among all the other athletes who performed very well, mentioned Leduc during a call conference from Louisiana. I would have liked to be there to celebrate everyone’s achievements and thank the coaches and the team around us.”
This indoor season paved the way for a great start outside. “The indoor season was the starting point for my outdoor season,” she emphasized. My successes led to my 100m results.”
Return with the Rouge et Or?
Eligible for a final season next year, will Leduc be back for one last lap? “That’s a good question,” she said. I’m going to finish my master’s degree in business administration in December, but I might take a few courses in the winter.”
His time of 10 s 96 which allowed him to set Angela Bailey’s Canadian record of 11 s?? will perhaps offer him new opportunities. “It won’t happen before Paris, but there will be several stages of the Golden League in Europe and it’s possible that I will get invitations. My time of 10 s 96 changes the situation.”
Leduc and the Canadian team will leave for Nassau in the Bahamas on Thursday morning in preparation for the world relay championship. Leduc and his 4X100m partners will try to get their ticket to Paris.
Excellent recruits and teammates
Linebacker Justin Cloutier and defender Florence Thibeault (soccer) are the Rouge et Or’s rookies par excellence.
Members of the national champion editions, Corinne Fréchette in rugby and Ismaël Diouf in basketball were crowned teammates par excellence.
In individual sports, the honor went to Leduc and Jean-Simon Desgagnés, his teammate in the athletics program.
Jean-Marie-de-Koninck Prize
Midfielder Elsa Lessard of the soccer team got her hands on the Jean-Marie-de-Koninck trophy awarded to the athlete who best reconciled studies and sport.
