Ottawa, Ontario - 8 February 2014
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement congratulating Justine Dufour-Lapointe and her sister Chloé Dufour-Lapointe on winning gold and silver respectively in the women’s freestyle skiing moguls’ competition. The Prime Minister also congratulated Mark McMorris for his bronze medal performance in the men’s snowboard slopestyle event.
“On behalf of all Canadians, it is with both pleasure and tremendous pride that I congratulate Justine Dufour-Lapointe, her sister Chloé Dufour-Lapointe and Mark McMorris on winning our first medals of these Olympic Games.
“Once again, Canadian athletes have shown that they can take on the world and win.
The remarkable results today are a testament to their expertise, dedication and boundless Canadian spirit.
“The whole country has been looking forward to terrific moments in winter sport, and our Olympic team certainly delivered in fine style today.”
Justine Dufour-Lapointe was born in Montreal, Quebec, and resides in Montreal. This is Ms. Dufour-Lapointe’s first medal in her first Olympic Games. She was the 2013 FIS World Championship bronze medalist in moguls and has previously finished second in both the 2011-12 and 2012-13 FIS World Cup Moguls Standings.
Chloé Dufour-Lapointe was born in Montreal, Quebec, where she currently resides. This is Ms. Dufour-Lapointe’s first medal in her second Olympic Games. She placed 5th in Women’s Moguls at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. She has previously won a gold medal in dual moguls at the 2013 FIS World Championships, a silver medal in dual moguls at the 2011 FIS World Championships, and was named 2008 FIS World Cup Rookie of the Year.
Mark McMorris was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, where he also currently resides. This is Mr. McMorris’ first medal in his first Olympic Games. In snowboard slopestyle competitions, he has taken home the gold at both the 2012 and 2013 Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado, in addition to winning a silver medal at the 2011 Winter X Games. He also won the FIS Snowboard World Championship silver medal in 2013, and silver medals at the Winter X Games Europe in Tignes, France, in 2012 and 2013.
