She was the most down to earth and caring person I knew--not to mention the most competitive and dedicated. What a huge loss to the running community. She was such a great example for all of us and hopefully other professional runners to try to follow. I am honoured to have had the opportunity to train with her for a short while.
My deepest sympathies to her friends and family.
She was a great person and tremendous athlete, and always extremely encouraging.
Carol Henry
Back around 1998 I saw her training on the indoor track (200m) of Claude Robillard (Montreal)-she was only about 17 years old at the time, but I recall seeing her do multiple 1000's in around 3:07 with little rest. She would train with the guys in Montreal, because she was way ahead of the girls.
When I read the news about her death it came as a shock because I had great expectations for her in her future career as a marathon runner, and I felt that with her basic speed (sub. ''15'' 5000) and strength, she had the potential to be a very good marathon runner - I would have thought around 2:27 in New York for a debut time, and faster from there on.
Very sad and tragic loss, and we will probably never see an athlete with her dedication and talent in Quebec again......tragic for Quebec, Canada, and everywhere.
Ghost
Family asking donations to be made to the Montreal Olympique.Translated:
The parents of Émilie, Nicole and François Mondor, have the major conviction that Émilie would have liked that its engagement towards youth and the sport to continue. It is by Montreal Olympique that they wish to see the ideal of Émilie remaining.
For those which want it, forward your gifts by cheque in the name of “Montreal Olympique”.
Send the whole to the following address:
694, rue de Carignan
Longueuil (Québec) Canada
J4L 2R4
http://www.mtlo.qc.ca/
moreinformation wrote:http://cgi.sfu.ca/~athlwww/modules.php?name=News&file=article&new_topic=&sid=1298
"I got sick after the race and it is only once I came back to the changing tent that my teammates told me about the team result. We were 3rd, having displaced all the habitual super-powers of cross-country, except Ethiopia and Kenya. It is the first cross-country medal for Canada since a team medal in 1983 at a time when the African countries were not yet racing the event. "
I had forgotten that the Canadian women won a medal at world cross that year, led by Emilie. Thanks for the reminder.
I consider myself so lucky to have known Emilie.
I will never forget her racing at the North American Team Challenge in Chula Vista, during which the Canadian, Mexican and U.S. men and women all competed on the course at the same time: The men in a pack ahead, the women in a pack behind, and somewhere between was Emilie, running not so much as if to win the women's race, but as if she fully intended to chase down the men. The look on her face was both ferocious and joyous. I've never seen anything quite like it.
Reading these posts, it is astonishing and sadly beautiful to see the impression she made on so many. My family, too, was touched by her generosity and caring. She always asked how my running was going, which always made me laugh. "I'm just a slow mom," I would say. "It doesn't matter." "Don't laugh," she would reply. "It doesn't matter how fast you run. It's that you love it." We jogged together one day before her race, and talked of running but also of so much more -- of wilderness and wolves, of literature and life. To say she was one of a kind is such a cliche, and yet anyone who ever met her knows it is true.
Condolences to her family and those closest to her from our family. Emilie, you are so missed.
I remember my freshman year at xc nationals warming up for my race and seeing emilie tear apart Kenosha on a cold, muddy day. She seriously demolished everyone...it was not even close. She was definitely an amazing competitor and her competitive spirit will be missed.
Rest in peace. Condolences from Finland. This is unbelievable shocker.
I have know Emilie since 1998 and talked to her quite often at the meets. The one thing that I still remember about her is at the World XC Championships Kathy Butler(while racing for Canada still), got 4th place in the Womens short course race, and Emilie went out and bought a card for Kathy congratulating her on her race and got all the Juniors on the Canadian Team to sign the card. Of course she did not want to take any of the credit for doing this. She was just so happy to be there even though she was starting to have some injury problems at that point.
My condolensces to the family and friends of Emilie Mondor. Life is a never ending journey, good luck in your next step!