TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF THE INS QUÉBEC COMPLEX :
PRIORITY REMAINS ON SUPPORTING ATHLETES
AS THEY PREPARE FOR PARIS 2024

With the Olympic Park having announced the closure of the Montreal Tower for a period of four to six months, the Institut national du sport du Québec (INS Québec) will intensify the reorganization of its activities begun in the hours following the fire on March 21 at the foot of the tower where the INS Québec Complex is located.

“Our priority remains to support our athletes as they prepare for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, says Marc Desjardins, President and CEO of INS Québec. Although this situation is beyond our control, we are fully aware of the inconveniences and challenges that the duration of this closure may cause. Alternative solutions have been put in place to mitigate the impact on athletes and sports organizations, while ensuring the continuity of our services, the maintenance of our coaching quality and the continuation of our current initiatives.”

Noting that it would take some time to assess the extent of the situation and obtain a reintegration plan, INS Québec had recommended as early as March 26 that training groups relocate their activities for at least the month of April, as a precautionary measure and to allow for some predictability. The Performance Services team is supporting the organizations in this process, notably by ensuring continuity of interventions by scientific and medical experts. Individual meetings with the various training groups will be held in the next few days to better identify the needs that the extended closure will generate.

INS Québec can count on the close collaboration of the teams at the Olympic Park and the government authorities concerned to minimize the impact of this situation on the activities of the organizations and the Institute.

Temporary relocation of the medical clinic

As of March 25, INS Québec has been able to temporarily relocate its clinic offering medical services to athletes in the vicinity of the Complex, in the former Olympic Park offices. Athletes can book appointments in the usual way.

No health risks

The entire 14,000 m² INS Québec Complex has been affected by the disaster. Significant damage was caused mainly by the abundant infiltration of noxious smoke, soot and watering by firefighters. Initial air quality analyses revealed a substantial level of contamination. Clean-up and decontamination operations are underway. Training groups, Complex users and Institute staff will be able to return to work only when the environment is safe and healthy for all.