Mikaël Kingsbury Captures Historic Olympic Gold, Earning Acclaim Throughout Quebec
Premier François Legault led a chorus of praise from across Quebec on Sunday, celebrating freestyle skier Mikaël Kingsbury after he claimed Canada's first gold medal of the Milano Cortina Olympic Games. Kingsbury's victory also marked the first-ever gold medal awarded in the men's dual moguls event, solidifying his status as the most accomplished freestyle skier in history.
A Champion's Achievement and Provincial Pride
"Thank you for making Quebec shine — all the way to the Olympic summit," Legault posted on social media platform X. The Premier's message highlighted the widespread pride felt throughout the province as Kingsbury, a native of Deux-Montagnes, ascended the podium in Livigno, Italy. This gold medal represents the second medal for Kingsbury at these Games, following a silver in the moguls event earlier in the week after a tiebreaker loss.
At 33 years old, Kingsbury now stands as the only men's freestyle skier to have won five Olympic medals. His illustrious career includes moguls gold from the 2018 PyeongChang Games, along with silver medals from the 2014 Sochi and 2022 Beijing Olympics. This latest triumph adds another historic chapter to his legacy.
Community Celebrations and Political Recognition
Linda Lapointe, Liberal member of Parliament for Rivière-des-Mille-Îles, expressed profound pride, stating, "Mikaël Kingsbury makes his entire hometown shine. We are so proud of you and send our heartfelt congratulations!" The City of Deux-Montagnes and the Deux-Montagnes regional county municipality also issued congratulatory messages, honoring their native son who resides in St-Joseph-du-Lac with his partner, Laurence Mongeon, and their son, Henrik.
Conservative Party of Quebec Leader Éric Duhaime praised Kingsbury on X, noting that he "brings honour to Quebec and to Canada. His message is a simple one: Believe in your dreams and they can sometimes come true. He is a model on the ski slopes, but also in his everyday life." Duhaime particularly highlighted the family-oriented celebration, as all three medalists were photographed with their partners and children, calling it "a really good example" of family culture.
The Path to Greatness: Discipline and Dedication
Quebec entrepreneur Olivier Primeau described Kingsbury as "a perfectionist. A machine of constancy. For years, he has dominated his sport as few athletes in the world dominate theirs. He doesn't just win … he commands respect." Primeau emphasized that Kingsbury's success stems from "obsessive work, iron discipline and a strong mind," rather than luck or improvisation.
Olympic diving champion Alexandre Despatie, analyzing the gold-medal run with former freestyle skier Philippe Marquis, pointed to Kingsbury's unparalleled work ethic. "With all the talent in the world, if you're not willing to put in the hours, the work, the dedication … it's his hunger to be the best skier in the world, to be the best skier of all time," Despatie remarked. "I feel privileged and so should the rest of the country to have been able to live these kinds of moments through Mikaël."
Roots and Recognition in Quebec
Born in Ste-Agathe-des-Monts on the eve of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Kingsbury grew up in Deux-Montagnes but honed his skills on the slopes near St-Sauveur. He began skiing at age four and made his moguls debut at eight years old. His family's deep connection to skiing continued with his siblings, Maxime and Audrey, who also competed before pursuing university studies.
Local recognition has been significant for Kingsbury. École secondaire Liberté-Jeunesse named its gym after him, and the City of Deux-Montagnes dedicated Parc Mikaël Kingsbury near his family home. "It means a lot to Mikaël to be recognized by his hometown," noted a community newsletter article from 2018.
A True Champion On and Off the Slopes
Jean-Luc Brassard, a four-time Olympian and gold medalist in moguls from the 1994 Lillehammer Games, offered heartfelt praise on Facebook. "What Mikaël has done in his career is just absolutely amazing," Brassard said. "I am amazed, like everybody else is, by all his performances because they are just out of this world, but I am also amazed at the quality of the man he is."
Brassard highlighted Kingsbury's exceptional character, noting that after races, he often spends hours engaging with fans, signing autographs, and taking photographs. "Very often you will see the press people taking the athletes away — to relax, to prepare for the next day. Mikaël just wants to give the best of him to everybody who takes the time to come and cheer for him. So this guy, in my mind, is not only an amazing skier, but a true champion."
As O Canada played for the first time at a Milano Cortina medal ceremony, Kingsbury, competing in his first Olympics as a father, immediately embraced his family after descending from the podium. This moment encapsulated not only athletic triumph but also personal fulfillment, resonating deeply with supporters across Quebec and Canada.
