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Myriam Bédard, biathlete (b at Loretteville, Que 22 Dec 1969). Bédard took up biathlon while a cadet at the age of 15 and entered her first competition the next year using rented skis. Three years later she was a member of the national team. She burst onto the world stage with impressive results during the 1991 World Cup season. Bédard then surprised the biathlon establishment by winning the bronze medal in the 15 km event at the Olympic Games in 1992.
At the 1993 world championships she won gold in the 7.5 km event and silver in the 15 km event. She entered the 1994 Olympics at Lillehammer, Norway, as one of the favourites and won gold medals in both the 7.5 and 15 km events, the first Olympic biathlon golds won by a non-European. Bédard received the 1994 Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's outstanding athlete. Illness interfered with her training for the 1998 Nagano Olympics and she finished well out of the medals. In recognition of her career achievements, Bédard was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
In June 2001, Bédard received an Olympic Order from Juan Samarach, President (past) of the International Olympic Committee, an honour bestowed on those who have achieved remarkable merit in the sports world or have rendered outstanding services to the Olympic cause, either through personal achievement or through the development of their sport. Myriam Bédard retired from biathlon competition in 1999.
