3 speed skating veterans lead inexperienced Canadian Olympic short track team

Kim Boutin, Pascal Dion and Charles Hamelin bring experience to Canada's 10-member Olympic short track team announced Tuesday.

Seven other speed skaters, led by teenage phenom Florence Brunelle, will make their Winter Games debut next month in Beijing.

The 18-year-old from Trois-Rivières, Que., is  the youngest Canadian short track athlete to participate on the Olympic stage.

"I am super happy and grateful to have the opportunity to represent my country at the Olympic Games in Beijing," the two-time Youth Olympic Games medallist said in a Speed Skating Canada news release.

"And it's very special to be among the youngest Canadians, and the youngest ever in my sport, to compete at this level."

Boutin won an Olympic silver medal and two bronze four years ago in Pyeonchang, South Korea, where the 27-year-old was also Canada's flag-bearer at the closing ceremony.

"I'm returning to the Games, but this time my eyes and heart will be wide open and I'm going to take in every single moment," said the native of Sherbrooke, Que., who took time away from skating throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to focus on her mental health. Now, she is tasked with leading a young women's team.

For Hamelin, a five-time Olympic medallist, Beijing will be the 37-year-old's fifth and final Winter Games.

"I am very proud of where this team is after four challenging years. Every skater has worked very hard to get to this point and I know they will be ready to take on this next challenge, said Hamelin, tied with fellow short track athletes Marc Gagnon, François-Louis Tremblay and figure skater Scott Moir as Canada's most decorated male Winter Olympians.

Dion, who won 2018 Olympic bronze in the men's 5,000 metres, was Canada's most successful skater during