November 5/09 15:13 pm - Jean Quevillon Announces His Retirement

Posted by Editoress on 11/5/09
 

At the age of 46, paracyclist Jean Quevillon announces his retirement. The athlete from Sainte-Adèle felt that the time had come for him to move on.

"I was part of the national team for 11 years. I knew a beautiful sports career where year after year, I'm getting better. But at some point, it is certain that everything will be going down, so I decided to retire before it starts, "says Quevillon who competed in the CP3 category, adding that the accumulation of stress related to competition and fatigue have also led to this decision.

The paracyclist's career has been marked with two podium finishes at the Paralympic Games: silver at the individual time trial in Sydney 2000 and bronze in the individual pursuit in Beijing in 2008.

At twenty, Jean Quevillon was been hit by a car while crossing a street. The accident left him in a coma for several weeks. Throughout his rehabilitation, Quevillon integrated into sport into his lifestyle, starting with downhill skiing. Subsequently, he began to compete in cycling with the  support of ex-athlete Gary Longhi.

Quevillon candidly admits he could have retired earlier. Before the Beijing Paralympic Games, his performance began to decline. That's when Eric Van den Eynde become his new coach, which gave a new impetus to his career.
 
"I did not think I was able to improve and Éric brought me back up to the top. Before that, I would not now be thinking back to Beijing with a medal around my neck. Cycling has brought me to many things and today I am now ready to pass the torch ", he explained with a touch of pride.