When the movement becomes a catalyst for social change in Laval
Imagine a packed hall where the adrenaline of competition doesn’t mean overwhelming pressure, but rather a sense of liberation. [...]
The day Laurie St-Georges learned she would become the official curling analyst for the Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, she had spent the morning on the ice, as usual. For this elite athlete, the call from Radio-Canada is not just a personal achievement; it is the natural extension of a journey rooted in Laval’s vibrant sports culture. As the 2026 Games approach, curiosity about this often-mysterious sport is reigniting, and you only need to meet Laurie to be swept up by her infectious passion .
Born on the Ice
Laurie was literally born among the brooms and stones at the Laval-sur-le-Lac Curling Club. Her parents had been playing the sport long before she was born. She took her first steps on the ice surrounded by the club’s community, which gave her the opportunity to thrive during her years in the junior program. According to her, it is largely thanks to this environment that she was able to reach such a high level in curling.
While many athletes give up the sport in their late teens, Laurie continued on her path with determination. As captain of her women’s team, she competed in five editions of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian championship that determines which team will represent the country at the World Championships. She also plays mixed doubles with her partner Félix Asselin, who is also her spouse. Together, they represented Canada at the World Mixed Curling Championships in Scotland in 2023.
For Laurie, curling is, above all, about relationships. In addition to sharing the ice with her life partner in mixed events, her sister and father were part of the team for many years as teammates and coaches. Beyond the sport itself, it is the close bonds that form among the athletes that deepen Laurie’s love for curling.
The Olympic Dream
Like most elite athletes, Laurie dreams of competing in the Olympics, a goal that requires unwavering perseverance. She and Félix were set to compete in the trials for the 2022 Beijing Games, but the trials were canceled on Christmas Day due to a COVID-19 outbreak. For Milano-Cortina, the retirement of two of the four members of her team made qualifying impossible.
Even though the goal remains to compete in the Olympics, commentating on curling is a very meaningful opportunity. The first thing Laurie did after receiving the call from Radio-Canada was to call her parents, who have supported her throughout her curling career.
The opportunity to commentate on the curling events has therefore been a real source of comfort for Laurie. It’s a different—but just as meaningful—way to be part of the Games. In fact, alongside her athletic career, she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Proof that, sometimes, nothing happens by chance!
The World of Curling
According to Laurie, the curling landscape has changed significantly over the past ten years, and with it, Laval’s sports offerings. Although the sport remains strong at the local and provincial levels, it is especially at the elite level that the changes are striking. The level of competition and the quality of play have increased considerably.
She also notes that young athletes are improving more quickly, thanks in part to the increased support provided by coaching staff. Sports psychologists, physical therapists, kinesiologists, nutritionists, and other health professionals now play a vital role in preparing athletes.
The Address Book
For Laurie, the sports experience in Laval never ends with the final handshake on the ice. In fact, she recommends that visitors fully experience the destination by enjoying the post-game atmosphere at Centropolis. Whether it’s with a coffee on a lively terrace or a nice dinner to celebrate a victory, she sees Laval as a complete playground. For her, it’s this balance between the intensity of the sports complexes, the green spaces, and the friendliness of the urban neighborhoods that makes the destination so unique.
An inspiring voice
By becoming an analyst for the 2026 Olympic Games, Laurie St-Georges is starting a new chapter in her story, without ever leaving the ice that shaped her. Whether she’s competing or behind a microphone, she’s pursuing the same mission: to promote a sport she loves deeply.
If her journey is inspiring, it’s because it reminds us that there are a thousand ways to make a dream come true and that sometimes, passion finds other paths to lead us to the Games.
