Laurent Dubreuil Parents: Meet Robert Dubreuil, Ariane Loignon

Laurent Dubreuil, the accomplished Canadian speed skater, not only glides gracefully on the ice but also carries with him the legacy of a family deeply entrenched in the world of speed skating.

Born to Olympian parents, Robert Dubreuil and Ariane Loignon, Laurent’s journey into the sport began at the age of 4, skating on a backyard rink meticulously crafted by his father.

Robert Dubreuil, an Olympian who competed in long track speed skating at the Albertville 1992 Olympics and in short track as a demonstration sport at the Calgary 1988 Games, laid the foundation for his son’s future success.

The family’s connection to the ice didn’t end there; Laurent’s mother, Ariane Loignon, is also an Olympian in long track speed skating from the Calgary 1988 Games.

In the early days, Laurent, blissfully unaware of his parents’ illustrious speed skating careers, dismissed his mother’s attempts to offer technical advice. At the tender age of 6 or 7, he boldly told her that she couldn’t possibly know how to skate.

Little did he know, his mother’s laughter concealed a wealth of experience, and it was a fellow parent who revealed the truth about her impressive speed skating abilities. “My mom was tying up my skates when I was a kid and she was telling me something about what I should do on ice,” Dubreuil fondly recalled.

“I told her ‘You don’t even know how to skate mom, like what are you talking about?’ She just started laughing and one of the other parents was tying up his kid’s skate and said ‘No, no, your mom knows how to skate. She skates really fast.’”

As the years passed, Laurent gradually discovered the true extent of his parents’ achievements. The realization that his parents were world-class skaters and Olympians took some time to sink in. Despite their remarkable accomplishments, Robert and Ariane opted for a supportive and hands-off approach, allowing Laurent to forge his own path in the sport.

“It did take a while for me to realize my parents had been world-class skaters,” Dubreuil acknowledged. “They didn’t try to live through me. They never put pressure on me, but whenever I would need advice, they would be there for me.”

Contrary to the common narrative of parents pressuring their athletic children, Laurent’s upbringing was characterized by a supportive and nurturing environment. His parents offered guidance when needed, ensuring he had precisely what he required to pursue his passion for speed skating.