Montreal, June 16, 2022 – The Foundation for Athletes of Excellence (FAEQ) was able to award 14 inspiring athletesscholarships ranging from 2,000 $ to 3,000 $, for a total of 41,000 $, as part of the 15th edition of the Loto-Québec Scholarship Program, which has also committed to continuing its partnership with the Foundation through 2024.
The Loto-Québec Scholarship Program recognizes the achievements of athletes with a physical or sensory limitation. It is managed by the Fondation de l'athlète d'excellence, in collaboration with organizations that support para-athletes. This year, Parasports Québec, Ski de fond Québec, Hockey Québec, the Fédération de natation du Québec, the Association québécoise de sports pour paralytiques cérébraux, Ski Québec alpin, Badminton Québec, and Tennis de table Québec are participating in the program.
From the search for major competitions to the difficulties related to the practice of their sport, including the training and sacrifices necessary to reach their own level of excellence, the para-athletes have overcome several obstacles and lived a year full of emotions. Four of the fourteen recipients of the Loto-Québec Scholarship Program also participated in the Tokyo and Beijing Paralympic Games, proudly representing our country: Sandrine Bérubé, in wheelchair basketball, Lyne-Marie Bilodeau, in Nordic skiing, Alexis Guimond, in para-alpine skiing, as well as Danielle Kisser, in pronunciation.
In fact, several former Loto-Québec Scholarship Program athletes have distinguished themselves on the national, international, and Paralympic stages. Let us mention Philippe Bédard in wheelchair tennis, Mark Beggs, Marie-Claude Molnar and Charles Moreau in paracycling, Marco Dispaltro in boccia, Valérie Grand'Maison para-natation, Dominic Larocque and Antoine Lehoux in para ice hockey and Maude Jacques, Rosalie Lalonde and Cindy Ouellet wheelchair basketball.
What they said:
«This year again, we are proud to support Paralympic athletes through our scholarship program. The funds awarded encourage the selected athletes to achieve, and even exceed, their goals. These high-level athletes accomplish great things and deserve to have their achievements and efforts highlighted. Congratulations to this year's recipients!»
– Eric Meunier, Director of Responsible Gambling and Societal Engagement at Loto-Québec
«Loto-Québec is one of the prestigious and loyal partners that the Fondation de l'athlète d'excellence can count on year after year to pursue its mission. It is with great enthusiasm that we are celebrating a 15th year of close collaboration with the state-owned corporation, which allows us to support para-athletes who represent an enormous source of inspiration for all Quebecers!»
– Martin Lavigne, President of the Fondation de l'athlète d'excellence
Table of recipients of the 2022 Loto-Québec Scholarship Program
| Name | Sport | Age | Amount | City |
| Sandrine Bérubé | wheelchair basketball | 23 | 3000 $ | Beauharnois |
| Lyne-Marie Bilodeau | nordic skiing | 21 | 3000 $ | Sherbrooke (Lake Magog) |
| Vincent Boily | para ice hockey | 22 | 3000 $ | Saint-Eustache |
| Félix Thomas Cowan | swimming (S8) | 19 | 3000 $ | Brossard |
| Olivier Dussault | boccia (BC2) | 27 | 2000 $ | Québec (Charlesbourg) |
| Sofia Fassi Fehri | Wheelchair basketball | 33 | 3000 $ | Montréal (Saint-Laurent) |
| Alexis Guimond | alpine skiing | 23 | 3000 $ | Gatineau |
| Jean-François Huneault | para ice hockey | 27 | 3000 $ | Saint-Eustache |
| Danielle Kisser | paranatation (SB6) | 25 | 3000 $ | Montreal (The Plateau-Mont-Royal) |
| Mélanie Labelle | wheelchair rugby | 37 | 3000 $ | Longueuil (Saint-Hubert) |
| Samuel Larouche | para-athletics (T51) | 28 | 3000 $ | Saguenay (Jonquière) |
| Marylou Martineau | boccia (BC3) | 21 | 3000 $ | Quebec (La Haute-Saint-Charles) |
| William Roussy | parabadminton (SL3) | 18 | 3000 $ | Mary |
| Gabriel Séguin | para table tennis (class 6) | 22 | 3000 $ | Blainville |
About Loto-Québec
Loto-Québec's mission is to manage the offering of games of chance and money efficiently and responsibly by promoting order, moderation, and the interest of the Quebec community. As a partner in Quebecers' entertainment, Loto-Québec supports events that generate significant economic and social benefits in the community. For the 15th year, Loto-Québec is supporting the FAEQ through its scholarship program.
About the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ)
Since its creation in 1985, the FAEQ has awarded no less than $20 million in bursaries, representing 6,500 individual bursaries to 3,500 different student-athletes. The FAEQ not only provides financial support to student-athletes in Quebec, but also support services in terms of academic orientation, reconciling sports and studies, corporate internships, etc. The FAEQ stands out for its personalized approach, rigorous management, and influential role within the sports and education communities. faeq.com
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For all interview requests with one or more recipients, please contact Josée Robitaille at josee.robitaille@faeq.com.
For more information:
Annie Pelletier
Director of Communications and Partnerships
Excellence Athlete Foundation
514-252-3171, extension 3538
annie.pelletier@faeq.com
Renaud Dugas
Spokesperson and Head of Press Relations Service
Loto-Québec
514-499-5208
renaud.dugas@loto-quebec.com
