Name: Marie-Lou Morin
CAN Fund Recipient Since: 2015
Sport: Synchronize Swimming
Best Result:
1st Place at the World Trophy 2009
2015 Pan Am Games Gold Medalist
Hometown: Montreal, QC
Nickname: Loulou
Horoscope Sign: Libra
On The National Team Since: 2008
How does being a CAN Fund Recipient make a difference for you?
Being a CAN Fund Recipient definitely shows me that there are people and organizations ready and willing to support what I do and to help me in my financial life. It’s a great honour and privilege to be part of the CAN Fund team. The funding will help greatly with my financial burdens and relieve some of the stress of not being able to work while training.
What is the best part about representing Canada?
It’s a great honour to represent Canada in international competitions and fight for the best performances I can give. It is also great to be able to positively influence the younger generation in the synchro community and in general. I love inspiring young talent as well as being inspired everyday by my teammates and my biggest competitors.
What is your proudest moment?
My proudest moment was at my first World Championships in 2013. It was our last event of the competition. We were burnt out and had trained so hard for this moment. We gave the best performance we possibly could have and the fans agreed as well. When we received our marks at the end of the performance they were not what we had hoped for, but all of a sudden the whole stadium of 20,000 people started roaring in disagreement and they truly made it an unforgettable moment for me. It really showed us that they appreciated our performance. Aside from the ranking we had delivered the best performance possible and I was very proud of my team for sticking together and proving to everyone what we were capable of.
What does sport mean to you?
Sport means that you surpass your expectations of yourself. You get to push your limits every day and challenge your body and your mind to overcome things you never thought you could. It also represents an active and healthy lifestyle that I love.
Do you have any pre-competition superstitions or routines?
My team and I like to have one sip of water right before competing from the same water bottle, but without sharing germs! I also have my lucky ring that was given to me when I made my first ever national team in 2005 that I always wear and that I absolutely need to bring with me to competitions.
What is a healthy snack you eat before or after training sessions?
I always have a chocolate milk after training.
What are your words to live by or your motto?
“Carpe Diem” seize the day. Live in the moment, life is so short and you cannot take anything for granted. You have to appreciate everything you’ve got because it can disappear sooner than you think.
What is the greatest advice a coach has ever given you?
To let go and enjoy. When I swim at competitions, I can get very stressed, tend to overthink and can forget to enjoy the moment. Before the biggest event of my life, my coach could see I was overthinking and she simply told me to trust myself. She reminded me that we train so many hours to be ready to perform, that I was ready and all I had to do was just let go and go for it. Thanks to her words I had not only my best performance but also my most enjoyable!
If you weren’t a Canadian athlete you would?
I would be a world famous cook. I would own famous restaurants all over the world and have cooking books and cooking shows!
What is your favourite thing about being on the road with your teammates?
The memories we make and being surrounded by people who have the same goals and who push me to be the best athlete I can be.
What are you favourite places in the world you have visited?
I love Spain, especially Barcelona and Madrid. These two cities are filled with history and amazing architecture. I have recently travelled to Japan as well and it is definitely one of my favourite places. I love the Japanese culture and way of life.
What are your hobbies?
I like to draw, spend time with my friends and family, bake and try other fun sportive activities like Zumba or trapeze classes.
What is the most played song on your ipod?
Baby I’m back by Baby Bash
What is your favourite quote?
“Strive for progress, not perfection”
What is your favourite movie?
Inception
What is your favourite book?
The Hunger Games series
What is your favourite sports team?
Any team representing Canada!
Who is your favourite athlete?
Jacqueline Simoneau from synchronized swimming
What is your favourite tv series?
Entourage
What is your favourite song or band/musician?
Maroon 5
