Montreal, January 19, 2023 — The Aléo and Georges St-Pierre Foundations have once again joined forces to highlight the efforts of seven up-and-coming student-athletes and award them a 2,000 $ scholarship.
The new recipients of the 10th edition of the Georges St-Pierre Foundation (GSPF) Scholarship Program were this time able to meet the former mixed martial arts world champion, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Indeed, this was the first in-person scholarship presentation after the virtual activities of 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic. As usual, Georges St-Pierre took the time to talk with each athlete about their successes and challenges.
The Aléo Foundation, formerly known as the athlete excellence foundation, took advantage of the event to bring together the seven student-athletes and Georges St-Pierre at the new Maison du Loisir et des Sports, around a tatami mat set up expressly for the presentation. Benoit Beaudoin, a mixed martial arts specialist journalist and UFC play-by-play announcer at RDS, hosted the event, introducing the young recipients, their achievements, and their aspirations.
A student-athlete from the very first edition of the FGSP Scholarship Program also testified about what the Foundation has brought her since. A graduating marketing bachelor's student at HEC Montréal, the taekwondo athlete and former contestant of Occupation Double Amélie Henry indeed shared some of his experiences with the recipients.
One of the objectives of the GSP Scholarship Program is to support student-athletes practicing a sport that Georges St-Pierre integrated into his preparation: boxing, fencing, artistic gymnastics, judo, karate, wrestling, and taekwondo.
Comments:
«Combat sports have been among the hardest hit since the beginning of the pandemic. Supporting student-athletes through my Foundation's Scholarship Program is therefore particularly timely and meaningful. Balancing their studies and their sporting passion is paramount in my eyes, with the goal of achieving the best possible life balance. Moreover, every year it is always fascinating and inspiring for me to discover their journeys and have the chance to make a small difference in them.»
– Georges St-Pierre
«Every year, it is a great pleasure for our Foundation to contribute to the well-being of local student-athletes alongside Georges St-Pierre. For a decade, we have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with this big-hearted world champion, who does not hesitate to get involved in the success of the scholarship recipients. His curiosity about the various recipients and his sharing of knowledge with them are a testament to the man that many Quebecers have come to appreciate so much over the years.»
– Martin Lavigne, President of the Aléo Foundation
New name, new image, same mission!
The Fondation de l'athlète d'excellence (FAEQ) has adopted a new name and a new visual identity: ALÉO – Propelling the athlete beyond sport. This change aims to further highlight its personalized approach where overall well-being and the well-being in performance its scholarship holders are at the center of its actions.
2023 Sponsorship Program Recipients
of the Georges St-Pierre Foundation
Marie-Bathoul Al-Ahmadieh / boxing (-57 kg)
18 years old – Laval
2000 $
> Gold medalist at the international junior tournament in Brandenburg, Germany, in September 2022, after defeating the European champion in her weight class.
Silver medalist at the tournament Bornemissza Memorial in Hungary, in June 2022, and at an international competition in Sweden (-60 kg), in May 2022.
Studies in the Tremplin DEC program at Collège Ahuntsic.
Marie-Bathoul easily adapts to the strengths and weaknesses of her rivals. She is working on perfecting her footwork and speed. A member of the national junior program last year, she aims to earn a spot on the senior Canadian team starting in 2023, and then continue her journey toward securing a pass to the Paris Olympic Games. The boxer is particularly interested in real estate and eventually wants to study at university.
Ayoub Bouriel / Taekwondo (-63 kg)
18 years old – Boischatel
2000 $
Junior gold medalist at the competition Pan Am Series II in Costa Rica, in July 2022.
Junior Canadian Champion in April 2022.
Studies Science at Champlain College St. Lawrence.
Ayoub has a lot of power in his kicks and good cardiovascular endurance, which allows him to wear down his opponents. He needs to improve his patience and defensive movement in his fights. The taekwondo athlete is aiming for the senior national title in order to compete in the World Championships in that category and pave the way to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He is very interested in the field of sports medicine and would like to become a physiotherapist or kinesiologist.
Victor Canuel / artistic gymnastics
16 years old – Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil
2000 $
> Silver medalist in the team event and 6th place on the rings in the junior division at the Pan American Championships in July 2022.
> Runner-up at the Canadian Junior Eventing Championships in May 2022.
> Is a 9th-grade student in the sports-academic program at École De Mortagne.
Victor is technically skilled and has good control over his aerial movements. Physical changes have led him to have to fine-tune his flexibility in recent months. Having already achieved his first goal this year after being selected for the Canada Games, the gymnast now wants to qualify for the Junior World Championships. He envisions a career in engineering and being able to travel while working.
Marie Dumas / fencing (épée)
17 years old – Saint-Lambert
2000 $
Bronze medalist at the Canadian Junior Championships in October 2022.
Senior provincial champion in May 2022.
> Is a 9th-grade student in the sports-academic program at Collège de Montréal.
> Marie manages her stress well in close matches and excels at landing offensive hits when her opponent gets within range. She wants to improve the fluidity of her footwork. The épée fencer wants to gain more experience in international competitions, having recently competed in the first World Cup of her career. She hopes to continue her studies in law or psychology while pursuing competitive sports at the highest level.
Mélody Grenier / judo (-48 kg)
14 years old – Val-des-Sources
2000 $
> Gold medalist in the under-18 division at the Canadian Elite Championships in December 2022.
Gold medalist in the under-16 category at the Canadian Open Championships in May 2022.
Studies in Secondary 3 in the sports-study program at École De Mortagne.
> Mélody is skilled at engaging her opponent, effectively grabbing the sleeve and the back of the shirt to set up her tactics. She needs to refine her techniques for throwing her opponents off balance before launching her attacks to avoid being countered. The judoka hopes to excel at the Canada Games and then at the national championships, in both the 16-and-under and 18-and-under divisions. She dreams of becoming a medical specialist and playing a role in cancer research.
Rose Lacoste / Olympic wrestling (65 kg)
16 years old – Ange-Gardien
2000 $
Gold medalist at the Sparta Cup in Puerto Rico, in October 2022, while also being named the best wrestler of the competition.
Silver medalist in the under-17 category at the Canadian Junior Championships in June 2022.
Studies in Secondary V at École Paul-Germain-Ostiguy.
Rose always wants to understand the ins and outs, which allows her to constantly perfect her techniques. She is currently looking to refine her mental preparation, notably to better manage her stress. The wrestler's goals for 2023 are to return to the podium at the Canadian Championships and to participate in the Pan American Championships. She dreams of becoming a world champion and is leaving all doors open regarding her professional future.
Nathan Laflamme / karate (katas)
13 years old – Mont-Saint-Hilaire
2000 $
Participated in the Pan American Championships in the 12-13 age category in August 2022.
Canadian champion in the 12-13 age group in July 2022.
Studies in Grade 8 in the sports-study program at École De Mortagne.
Nathan is explosive, dynamic, and fast with his arm movements. He began competing at a very young age and therefore boasts an impressive background of experience. He pays close attention to improving his footwork speed. The karateka aims to win a medal at the upcoming Canadian Championships in the 14-15 age category. He is very interested in science as well as training in his sport.
About the Georges St-Pierre Foundation
The Georges St-Pierre Foundation is financially supported by Mr. Georges St-Pierre and its numerous sponsors. All funds raised by the Foundation are redistributed to the best organizations and programs dedicated to bullying prevention as well as the promotion of sport and the pursuit of education among youth. gspofficial.com/fr/fondation-gsp
About the Aléo Foundation
Established in 1985, the Fondation de l’athlète d’excellence (FAEQ) has awarded over $20 million in scholarships to nearly 4,000 outstanding student-athletes from across Quebec. With the goal of clarifying the organization's mission to propel athletes beyond sports, in 2022 the FAEQ rebranded and changed its name to Fondation Aléo. In addition to continuing its provision of scholarships and support services to tomorrow's leaders, it confirms its personalized approach, focusing on the overall well-being and development of its scholarship recipients in their performance.
For more information: fondationaleo.ca as well as the official Aléo Foundation pages on our platforms:
Page LinkedIn Aléo
Page Facebook Aléo
Page Instagram Aléo
Page YouTube Aléo
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For more information:
Jonathan Collin
Scholarship Programs Coordinator
Aléo Foundation
514-252-3171, extension 3884
jonathan.collin@fondationaleo.ca
Philippe Lepage
Partner
LB3i Sports
plepage@lb3i.com
For interview requests or other information, please contact Josée Robitaille at josee.robitaille@fondationaleo.ca.
