Michel Daignault

Short track speed skater Michel Daignault first drew national attention in Canada when he won the overall title at the 1987 World Indoor Speed Skating Championships on April 5. He solidified his reputation the following day when he set a world record time of 5.11,99 at the tournament’s 3,000m event. The following year short track speed skating was a demonstration event at the 1988 Winter Olympics and he placed second in the 1,000m event, third in the 3,000m competition, and third in the 5,000m relay alongside Robert Dubreuil, Louis Grenier, and Mario Vincent. Although he did not rank among the top three in the 1,500 meter event, he nevertheless held a world record for it with a time of 2.25,25 from February 22, 1988 until November 30, 1991, and won the event at the 1989 World Championships (in addition to taking the overall title once more). By 1991 he had taken a third overall title at the competition and was prepared to compete at the 1992 Winter Olympics, where short track speed skating was now an official part of the program. He won a silver medal as a member of the men’s 5,000m relay, but managed only 8th place in the 1,000m event. He retired from the sport in 1993 and now serves as the Treasurer of the board for Speed Skating Canada, a position that he has held since 2005.