Track & Field
Getting to know your U SPORTS coaches: Shane Wiebe, Trinity Western Spartans
- Name: Jean-Simon Desgagnés
- School: Université Laval
- Sport (years): Track and field (2)
- Program: Medicine
- Hometown: Quebec City
1. What are your thoughts on representing Team Canada at a major international event, and most specifically at the 2019 FISU Summer Universiade?
It’s a great honour for me to represent Canada at this event. It’s an extremely strong field and the championship is very competitive; the races will be tough. I’ll be able to compete against the best in the world in my discipline. It will be a challenge! Also, participating in multi-sport games is always a fun aspect. We meet several other athletes from different sports and countries; the atmosphere is awesome.
2. Is this the first time you have been selected to represent Canada on the international stage or at the Universiade? Current track record (national and/or international)?
This is my third time representing Canada on the world stage, but it will be a first at the Universiade for me. The other two times I represented Canada were at the U20 World Cross Country Championships and at the U20 Pan Am Athletics Championships, where I won the gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase. As for my results at the national level, I am a three-time U SPORTS silver medallist - once in cross-country, and twice in track and field, in the 3000 m as well as in the 1500 m. On the civil circuit, I am a double U20 gold medallist in the 5000 m and 3000 m steeplechase (2017), and I am also a senior level Canadian vice-champion in the 3000 m steeplechase (2018).
3. What are you most looking forward to in Naples, Italy outside of the competition?
Naples is a busy city that’s really nice to visit. I went there last summer and I enjoyed the experience. The endless noise, the small crowded streets as well as the fast pace of life can be surprising at the beginning, but you get attached to it quickly and that’s what makes the place so charming. The city is also close to the Mediterranean and several small paradise islands that are great to visit. In short, I can’t wait to enjoy the atmosphere and especially the food in this southern Italian city.
4. What are your personal and/or team goals for this Universiade?
Personally, my goal would be to finish in the top 5 in the final of the 3000 m steeplechase that will take place on July 12th.
5. Do you have a nickname in your sport?
Sometimes people call me QueenD / the Queen / Queen because of my social media handle!
6. What are you listening to right now / what is your pump-up music?
I listen to many different genres of music; I like to change and diversify my repertoire. I must admit, however, that I’ve been enjoying Quebec rap lately, listening to artists like Koriass, Alaclair, and Dead Obies.
7. Current favourite TV show?
Scooby Doo
8. What message would you like to share with Team Canada followers / the U SPORTS community?
Thank you so much for your support! It’s a dream come true; it’s proof that with perseverance and pleasure, anything is possible.