Florence Brunelle: From Olympic Disappointment to Mental Fortitude

Florence Brunelle: Reclaiming Purpose After Olympic Challenges

Florence Brunelle, a name now synonymous with resilience in Canadian short-track speedskating, once found herself grappling with profound unhappiness despite achieving a lifelong dream: reaching the Olympics. Following the Beijing 2022 Games, Brunelle questioned her path, realizing that accomplishment didn’t automatically equate to fulfillment. “I’ve accomplished my dream, and I feel unhappy, so why would I pursue what I’m pursuing?” she pondered, feeling a loss of purpose.

A Rising Star Faces Adversity

At just 18, Brunelle became the youngest-ever short-track speedskater to represent Canada at the Olympics. A decorated junior medallist, she was accustomed to success, but the pressure of the Olympic stage proved to be a different beast. As Brunelle recalls, “things were going really fast.” A little too fast. The Beijing Games brought a harsh reality check. During the mixed relay final, a collision with a Hungarian opponent led to a penalty, dropping Canada from fourth to sixth place. Brunelle shouldered the blame, despite the commonality of falls in the sport.

A Journey of Self-Discovery

The Olympic disappointment sparked a period of intense self-reflection. Brunelle stepped away from the ice, prioritizing her mental health throughout the following season. “I knew I loved sports, I knew I loved being an athlete, but then I was still a teenager, and I wasn’t sure if it was really my choice to do all of this,” she explained. This led to a two-year journey of emotional management, meeting weekly with a psychologist.

Returning to the Ice with a New Perspective

Now 22, Brunelle returns to the Olympic stage at the Milan Cortina Games with a renewed sense of purpose. She’s discovered that her unhappiness stemmed not from skating itself, but from her own perceptions and self-valuation. “I realized, ‘Oh, I don’t want to quit skating,’” she shared. “The unhappiness doesn’t come from skating, it comes from how I see things and how I value myself and how I choose to give importance to the wrong thing.”

Finding Joy in the Process

Brunelle is now focused on enjoying the daily grind with her teammates, part of Canada’s top-ranked short-track roster. Head coach Marc Gagnon notes her positive transformation: “She’s at a really good place… four years ago were not good Games for Florence, and it was hard mentally for her. She had big challenges and had to overcome some stuff during the last four years… stuff that will still be challenging for her.” He believes she’s developed the tools to navigate those challenges.

A Breakout Season and Continued Growth

Brunelle’s shift in mindset translated into a successful 2024-25 season, highlighted by a Canadian national title and her first ISU World Tour victory in the 500-metre distance. She also contributed to Canada’s relay gold medals at the world championships. Despite a recurring hernia limiting her summer training, she finished strong, securing a 500-metre bronze in Dordrecht, Netherlands.

Looking Ahead to Milan Cortina

Coach Gagnon is optimistic about Brunelle’s potential: “I believe the level of competition this year got a little higher on the women’s side, so in my vision, she’s a little stronger than last year. Honestly, for me, everything’s possible with Florence.” Brunelle acknowledges the challenges ahead but feels prepared. She embraces vulnerability and believes she can be proud of herself, regardless of the outcome. “I feel like I will really be able to say, ‘Oh, I prepared for this, and I can be proud of myself, whatever the outcome is,’” she stated. “I’m passionate about this. I want do this for so many years.”

Short-track competition runs Feb. 10 to 20 at Milano Ice Skating Arena.