At the age of 5, William Emard dreamed of participating in the Olympic Games! Today, this goal is closer than ever for the young athlete, who is actively preparing for the Olympic qualification next September. Will artistic gymnastics have a new medalist from Quebec at the 2024 Paris Games?

The bets are on, but until then, the 22-year-old gymnast excels every day, combining work, perseverance and passion!

Where does your passion for artistic gymnastics come from?

I started doing gymnastics very early because my sister also practiced this sport. From the age of 4 to 7 I did gymnastics in my free time. I loved it and being the cool little student who could do the splits and walk on his hands! I started competing at the age of 8, but during my elementary school years my main goal was to have fun. In high school things got a little more serious with the vision of a national team, national training camps and international competitions. Then I slowly climbed the ladder to become the athlete I am today.

What have been your greatest sporting challenges so far?

Injuries have been an integral part of my journey and they have all been difficult to manage. More recently, I’ve had to overcome anxiety, low confidence and sport-related mental fatigue after several events in 2022. I decided to retire from sport for a while to recharge my batteries and it’s been a lot better since then.

What skills are required to practice your sport?

Gymnastics is extremely difficult and in my opinion even the most complex sport. The various acrobatic moves that make up our routines can take weeks, months, and even years of work to master. The amount of work is enormous. Therefore, a gymnast must be persistent and determined. The best gymnasts aren’t the most talented, they’re the ones who have fallen the most in their lives. They just kept going until they stopped falling.

What do sport and exercise mean to you?

Sport has always been present in my life and in my family. When my parents weren’t at the gym, they were at the arena, at a soccer field, or even at a soccer field with my sister, one of my brothers, or me. I love sport in all its forms and try to do as many activities as possible, although gymnastics remains the main thing. Just getting on my bike for a few hours on a Sunday morning, going for a ride and clearing my head is really fun for me.

What are your professional goals?

I’m currently studying administrative sciences, but it wasn’t a direct path, far from it! Working in sports turns me on. So I wanted to combine my field of study with this one. I hope to be a manager on a sports team, federation or organization that will allow me to stay in touch with that aspect of my life. The ultimate goal would be to work for the Montreal Canadiens. In order to achieve this goal, I need to complete my bachelor’s degree in marketing. After that, I will continue my studies with a DESS in Sports Management at HEC Montreal.

What are your tips for reconciling studies, sports and social affairs?

The organization! This is really the key to my success in school and in sports. We have crazy schedules and I don’t have the philosophy of locking myself in my room and always studying. I do my job and of course I study, but I give myself blocks for it. I try to stick to this schedule as much as possible so that I can also enjoy social activities with friends and family. I realized that my mental health had a big impact on my athletic results, but also at school.

Do you have time to engage with young athletes?

I started lecturing in schools to encourage young people to exercise more. I talk about my journey and my challenges, emphasizing perseverance and determination. I want to do this because young people need to move more than they do now. I got a lot as an athlete and I like to think that in return I’ll help some young people.

profile

Age: 22 years old

Sports: artistic gymnastics

Classification: Excellence

School: UQAM and TÉLUQ

School average: 4.3/4.3 and 4.0/4.3

Degree: Administration/Marketing

burst questions

What other sport would you have liked to have practiced?

Tennis.

The song that gives you energy before a competition?

Eminem’s Cinderella Man.

Which school subjects do you prefer?

Business and Economic Law.

What does a typical day off look like for you?

Meet friends for brunch, get some fresh air and read with a good espresso.

Exceptional performance

2022

French internationals

Level: International

Result: 5th (Floor)

2021

World Championship

Level: International

Result: 1st (jump)

2021

Elite Canada

national level

Result: 1