SynchroNice / Third Edition / 2018

MERLIER Agathe SYNCHRO NICE 79 23 years old and skating for Les Suprêmes Senior for 5 years already. Didn’t you like France? Hahaha. Yes, I did but I’m sort of an exchange student from the University of Rouen, in France. I‘m studying Science and Techniques of Physical and Sports Activities in short “STAPS” and I’m spe- cializing in “Sports Management”. In agreement with the university, and being a top-level athlete, I’m sort of granted to finish my studies here in Canada. Volunteer students commu- nicate me the “lessons” I need by mail and I return to France every year in June to pass my exams. With my studies, I have to do a Sports Management internship, that I do in Montreal. So, you’re originally from France? Yes, I was born in France, in Rouen to be precise. This is the city of the French Cup. Funny thing is I was born in the same year the French Cup had its first edition, this was 1994. Maybe a sign of destiny, haha! What did your childhood look like? Hmmm, I grew up in a small town near Rouen, called “Pont de l’Arche” with my family. We lived in a house, with my dog and my two cats. I also have a big brother, Arthur, (28 years old), who practiced fencing up till national level, he did so for more than fifteen years. From the age of 2 I followed him to all his training sessions, several times a week and even to his competitions in the weekend. He was my role model and I certainly developed a love for sports at that time. Performing in sports never was so- mething of choice in my life but more of an obvious way to spend time. My brother is now a podiatrist and continues to practice fencing occasionally. How do you like Canada so far? I have lived in Montreal for four and a half years now, and what once was the home of Les Supremes became my second home over the years. I have already moved several times since my first arrival, it allowed me to live in different parts of the city and to become a “true Montrealer”. I have always lived with room- mates, including once with two other skaters from my team, including one from Japan. When I have time, I like to enjoy Montreal and take photographs because that is also one of my favourite hobbies. Otherwise I love to read and travel. Quite a step for a young girl, to move to another continent, are you such a brave character? I’m more of a shy person I would say, but over the years I managed to grow out it. Despite this shyness, I’m a rather determined and hardworking girl. I proved several times that, despite people not having faith in me, I achieved my goals anyway. If I know what I want, I won’t let go until I succeed. That doesn’t sound very shy? That’s because I’m a perfectionist as well and instead of experiencing this lack of confidence as a disadvantage, I turned it into a strength, I let it push me to surpass myself and to prove to myself that I was capable of whatever… despite what other people say. Otherwise I’m a relatively calm person and I don’t like conflicts. Any quotes that you live by? Sure, many but it’s hard to choose just one quote because I always try to find one to fit the situation... Pick your favourite. Okay, since we’re talking Skating career here, I choose: “Work until your Idols become your Rivals.” and then I always add a sentence: “Or your Team- mates.” Could you tell us some more about how you got involved in skating and at what age, but also why and where etc.? At the age of 5, school organized a field trip to the skating rink of a nearby town called Louviers. These were my first steps on the ice. After that, my mom offered me skating as a sport. My answer was a very decisive was “No, I want to Work, until your Idols become your Rivals When talking to Marilyn Langlois, I asked her to name me one of her skaters for an interview in SynchroNice, as we really couldn’t choose. Marilyn had to think about this for a long time as well, but finally came up with 23-year-old Agathe Merlier who is of French origin.