Myriam Bédard

Myriam Bédard became a household name in Canada as a three-time Olympic medalist who earned Canada’s first-ever biathlon Olympic medal. 

Hailing from Ile des Soeurs, Quebec, Myriam made her Olympic debut at Albertville in 1992 when the sport made its Olympic debut for women, winning a bronze medal in the 15km individual event. Two years later Myriam won her first gold medal in the 15km individual, followed by another Olympic gold in the 7.5km individual race, when she was the defending world champion. Myriam won the race by a mere 1.1 seconds, using mismatched skies that were waxed differently. She competed at the Olympic Games in Nagano in 1998, but had suffered numerous injuries, and her best finish was 17th in the 4×7.5km relay.

A member of Canada’s national biathlon team from 1987–1998, Myriam captured two junior national and three senior national titles. Her first major international title was a 1991 World Cup event and first world title was at the 1993 world championships in Bulgaria, winning gold in the 7.5km sprint (silver in the 15km).

Myriam’s successes led to her to be inducted into the Canadian Sport Hall of Fame in 1999 and she was further recognized by the International Olympic Committee as one of 10 athletes receiving an Olympic Order awarded to “… those who have achieved remarkable merit in the sports world, or have rendered outstanding services to the Olympic cause, either through personal achievement or to the development of sport”.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 1987 & 1989 – Canadian Junior Biathlon Champion.
• 1990 – Canadian Senior Biathlon Champion on two occasions.
• 1988 – North American Biathlon Champion on two occasions.
• 1992 – Bronze medalist at the Albertville Savoie, France, Olympic Games in the 15 km Biathlon event.
• 1994 – Double gold medalist at the Lillehammer, Norway, Olympic Games in the 7.5 km and 15 km Biathlon events.
• 1993 – Gold medalist at the Biathlon World Championships, Borovetz, Bulgaria, in the 7.5 km event.
• 1993 – Silver medalist at the Biathlon World Championships, Borovetz, Bulgaria, in the 15 km event.
• 1991 – Gold medalist in two-World Cup competitions.
• 1990-1996 – silver Medalist in seven-World Cup competitions.
• 1991, 1993 – bronze Medalist in two-World Cup competitions.
• 1991 and 1993 – 2nd place in World Cup overall standing.
• 1998-2002 – Member of the International Biathlon Union Development Committee.

Note: The information gathered in this biography was compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments. Copyright © Canadian Ski Hall of Fame & Museum. For personal and/or educational use only. All rights reserved.