Marie-Hélène Chisholm follows her Olympic judo dream

At the 2004 Olympic Games, judoka Marie-Hélène Chisholm will be the only representative from Northern Quebec. Even though she had to leave her Port-Cartier home nine years ago to train at the Varennes National Centre, Marie-Hélène is still very attached to the city and its people.

«It’s insane down there », she said. « When I arrive in Port-Cartier, it’s like I’m participating on the TV show Star Académie. There are huge banners wishing me good luck for the Games at the city limits. Citizens from this town feel very attached to me. They’ve been following my career ever since I started in judo. Everyone knows me in Port-Cartier. To my surprise, I’m often treated with meals on the house when I go to restaurants. When I take time to visit schools, children are euphoric. »

However, the life of a high-level athlete doesn’t allow Chisholm to go back to Port-Cartier as mush as she would like. « Except for me, everyone in my family is still there. I used to go every summer, but I’m going twice a year since I’ve been doing several competitions, » she said.

Besides being a talented judoka, Marie-Hélène Chisholm is known for her kindness and availability, especially when it comes to being involved with kids.

« I can’t recall her saying no. She is always ready to be available and give some of her time », said Judo Quebec’s general manager, Patrick Esparbès.

« I find this very important », Chisholm replied. « Since I’m from a small town, I can recall as a kid how grandiose it was to see athletes or persons accomplish great things. Today, that is why I’m trying to give back to kids by interacting with them. I’m trying to influence them to practice a sport, whether it would be judo or something else »

As for her kindness and contagious good mood, Chisholm has this to add. « judo is my passion. It’s not a chore for me to train. It’s probably the reason why people see me in a good mood. However, because of stress, my personality will gradually change two weeks before a competition. My strength of character and my aggressiveness always show on the mat. I don’t like to fall and I certainly don’t like to lose, » she explained.

Learning a new category
At the beginning of the year, Chisholm had to take an important decision by switching to a new weight category. She had always been in the 70 kg category in the seniors. To have better chances at making the Olympics, she switched to the 63 kg category.

In the 70 kg category, Chisholm always had to face rival Catherine Roberge. Both women are considered as two of the best in the country, but only one spot was available to go to Athens. Since Chisholm has never been the heaviest amongst the 70 kg crowd, she decided to make the change in a smaller weight category.

The 25-year old judoka participated in a small numbers of tournaments in her new category, but the transition was a smash: a gold medal at the Belgian Open, a bronze medal at the Pan Am Championships and an Olympic berth for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.

« I have realistic goals for the Olympics, since this will be my first experience. I don’t know how I will react in this situation, with stress and everything. I simply want to win my first fight, my second one and my third one. I’ll go step by step, since I know my fights won’t be very easy »

« For now, my preparation is going well. I’m happy with the competition choices I made, plus the fact I don’t have a major injury. Everything is going well, and I have no problem maintaining my weight. I don’t need to be on a diet and I’ll be able to show up in Athens in top shape, » Chisholm admitted.

Although she already contemplates being at the 2008 Beijing Games, Chisholm’s Olympic debut will be on Tuesday, August 17th. When she gets back home, she intends to pay a visit to her native Port-Cartier to salute her numerous fans.

« I’ don’t have a choice, since I’ll be the honorary president of the town’s half-marathon, on September 18th. I’ll be there ! » concluded the future Olympian.