Marie-Pier Beaudet's career as an Olympian began as a 17-year-old in Athens two years after her national team debut in 2002 as a cadet at the World Archery Youth Championships.
“Although it is difficult to leave my international archery career behind, I felt it was time to focus on my personal life and career aspirations”, she said. “I have fond memories of my Olympic and national team career.”
Her international career spanned over 13 years, during which she competed for Canada at numerous multi-sport Games, World Championships and World Cup events. Besides three Olympic Games, Marie-Pier competed at four consecutive senior worlds from 2003 to 2009, two youth worlds (2002, 2004), one Commonwealth Games and two Pan American Games editions.
Head Olympic Coach Joan McDonald stated: “Marie-Pier has had a lengthy and successful international career. To have competed at the Olympic Games three times is an amazing feat. It has been a pleasure having Marie-Pier as a national team member and to witness her development as an athlete and individual. I wish her all the best for the future.”
Marie-Pier Beaudet stood on the international podium several times throughout her career. At the Rio de Janeiro 2007 Pan American Games, she and her teammates won silver in the women's recurve team event, and they captured team bronze at Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Her most successful event as an indivudal has certainly been the Arizona Cup. In Phoenix she mounted on the podium four times in a row – gold in 2008, 2009; bronze in 2010; and silver in 2011. Her best results at World Cups were sixth individually and fifth in mixed team at Ogden in April 2012.
Later that month Marie-Pier won the Continental Qualification Tournament for the Americas in Medellin, Colombia, securing an Olympic quota spot for her country. On that occasion, the Canadian had an outstanding performance with with a world class score of 1340 out of a possible 1440, a new national record by four points. On her way to winning the event, she defeated the two Mexican athletes who would eventually go on to win the 2012 Olympic silver and bronze medals.
One month later, Marie-Pier then secured her spot on the Canadian Olympic Team by winning the Olympic Trials.
In addition to international success, the Canadian was crowned national champion multiple times. She set and continues to hold several national records, in addition to being a three-time recipient of Archery Canada's prestigious Female Athlete of the Year Award.
Archery Canada’s Executive Director, Scott Ogilive said “On behalf of Archery Canada, I extend sincere congratulations to Marie-Pier on her successful international career. I also extend sincere thanks and appreciation for her commitment as a high performance athlete and member of the Canadian National Team and for her contribution to archery in Canada. We wish Marie-Pier every success in her new endeavours.”
A ‘whirlwind’ second life for French
