Assistant Coach, National Programs
Five-time Olympic medalist Marc Gagnon joined Canada’s national short track program as an assistant coach in 2021, where he supports both the men’s and women’s national teams.
Gagnon had been a part of the coaching staff at the Canadian Regional Training Centre (CRCE) in Montreal since 2010, where he was responsible for preparing the sport’s rising stars. He was promoted to head coach of the CRCE in 2014, a role he held until joining the national team coaching staff in 2021.
As a skater, Gagnon enjoyed over a decade of success on the national team and finished his career as one of Canada’s most decorated short track speed skaters. He made his Olympic debut at Lillehammer 1994, where he won bronze in the 1000m, and followed that up four years later with gold in the men’s relay at Nagano 1998. He capped off his Olympic career with three medals at Salt Lake City 2002, earning gold in the 500m and men’s relay, along with bronze in the 1500m. In addition to his Olympic success, he was crowned overall World Champion on four occasions (1993, 1994, 1996, 1998), earning an impressive 35 medals along the way.
Gagnon was inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 2007 and Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. He is also a member of Speed Skating Canada’s Hall of Fame and the organization’s annual award for Male Short Track Athlete of the Year – a title he was honoured with eight times throughout his career – is now named in his honour.
