(Photo credit: Est Montréal Média)

INS QUÉBEC ALLY MICHEL LABRECQUE BIDS FAREWELL AFTER A DECADE OF SERVICE

Since its inception, the INS Québec has had only one president, Michel Labrecque. We had the privilege of discussing with him before his retirement in mid-July.

The role of INS Québec according to Mr. Labrecque

As President and CEO of the Olympic Park since the inauguration of the Institut, Mr. Labrecque shared his vision and the importance of this institution.

ML: “The City of Montréal submitted its application for the Olympic Games, and the sports hub project was always part of that bid. The aim was to provide Montréal with a complete sports complex, including several sports arenas and a large stadium. After the 1976 Olympic Games, the idea was to transform these infrastructures to include gymnasiums, offices and spaces dedicated to all sporting disciplines. The Minister of Education, Recreation and Sport at the time, Michelle Courchesne, supported this initiative to bring athletes back to the training center. When the INS Québec decided to go ahead with this idea, the Olympic Park enthusiastically supported it. This initiative allows the population to train with the best athletes, creating an enriching mix.”

Michel Labrecque (far left) accompanied Tom Quinn (2nd left), Chairman of the Board of INS Québec, during the visit of International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach (3rd left) and Nadia Comaneci (far right), Queen of the Montréal 1976 Olympic Games, to the Institut in July 2015.

INS Québec’s added value at the Olympic Park

ML: “The INS Québec, located at the Olympic Park, creates a critical mass in several sporting disciplines, facilitating access to the same experts and to well-maintained and adapted facilities. At the Olympic Park, we make continuous improvements to meet the needs of the population and the athletes.”

How important was it to maintain training during the pandemic for athletes?

During the pandemic, Mr. Labrecque was actively involved in keeping the Institut open for training high-level athletes.

ML: “Athletes need to train in optimal conditions, which isn’t always possible in their own homes. Strict protocols have therefore been put in place in collaboration with INS Québec to enable them to train. Despite the lack of revenue during this period, it was crucial to maintain these activities at the Complex.”

The evolution of INS Québec

ML: “Since its inauguration, INS Québec has evolved significantly. Notable improvements include the installation of a sprint track and a high-flying diving platform. A challenge that remains is to strengthen the links between athletes and the population, i.e. to ensure greater proximity between the community and the high-level athletes who rub shoulders on a daily basis at the Complex. ”

Reflecting on his years of collaboration with INS Québec, Mr. Labrecque stressed the importance of respectful human relations and mutual understanding of constraints.

ML: “We work closely with INS Québec, regularly exchanging information on our joint projects. We have learned to live with each other’s constraints, and this understanding has enriched our mutual contributions.”

The Institut is privileged to have been able to count on Mr. Labrecque for all these years. We wish him all the best for the future.