Jean Grenier

Québec native Jean Grenier spent more than 40 years involved in the sport of speed skating. In 1969 Grenier founded the Sainte-Foy Speed Skating Club before helping to found the Québec Speed Skating Federation, serving as their first President. By the next decade he had moved up to the national federation, becoming the President of Speed Skating Canada from 1976 to 1977. Grenier was also a key figure with the Canadian Olympic Committee, serving as their director (1976–81), vice-President (1981–89), and their secretary-treasurer (1989–93). For the 1984 Games in Sarajevo he was the assistant chef de mission for the Canadian team, before becoming the chef de mission for Canada four years later in Calgary. Grenier also was the executive vice-President for Québec City’s bid to host the Winter Games in 2002.

For his work Grenier received multiple recognitions during his life including being inducted into the Speed Skating Canada Hall of Fame in 1991, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1995. He was also awarded with the Olympic Order in Silver in 1997, and received the Canadian Olympic Order in 2010 ahead of the Vancouver Games.

Grenier had five children who all competed in speed skating. His daughter Natalie represented Canada at in long track skating in Sarajevo and Calgary, while his son Louis competed in short track in Calgary in 1988 when it was a demonstration sport.