Jordan Belchos

www.facebook.com/jordan.belchos

Reason for choosing this sport	While training for inline skating, he participated in a crossover sport recruitment camp. He was then spotted by coaches from a speed skating talent identification programme called Own The Podium. "Speed skating is a combination of technical precision, physical and mental strength. I love competing against the clock and the feel of skating well."
Name of coach	Bart Schouten [national], NED; Todd McClements [national], CAN
When and where did you begin this sport?	He began inline skating at age nine in Toronto, ON, Canada. He switched to speed skating in 2005 in Calgary, AB, Canada.

Sporting philosophy / motto	"Always getting better." (Athlete, 18 Nov 2018)
Injuries	He tore the meniscus in his knee in 2015. (Athlete, 14 Nov 2019) He fractured the patella bone in his knee in July 2014 and was out for two months. (Athlete, 18 Nov 2018, 03 Dec 2015) He sustained a concussion in a cycling accident in June 2013, which affected his off-season training. He recovered in time to compete at the Canadian Olympic trials in October the same year. (Athlete, 18 Nov 2018; cbc.ca, 14 Jan 2014)
Memorable sporting achievement	Winning a bronze medal in roller speed skating at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Athlete, 14 Nov 2019)
Other sports	He represented Canada in roller speed skating at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, ON, Canada, where he won bronze in the road 10,000m points race. (SportsDeskOnline, 03 Dec 2015; Athlete, 03 Dec 2015)
Most influential person in career	His parents. (Athlete, 14 Nov 2019)
Hero / Idol	Canadian athlete and humanitarian Terry Fox. (Athlete, 18 Nov 2018)
Hobbies	Cycling. (Instagram profile, 16 Aug 2017)
Famous relatives	His partner Valerie Maltais has represented Canada in short track, speed skating and roller speed skating. She competed in short track at the Olympic Winter Games in 2014 and 2018, winning silver in the 3000m relay at the 2014 Games in Sochi. (rds.ca, 23 Feb 2018; journaldemontreal.com, 30 Aug 2017; olympic.org, 2014; SportsDeskOnline, 15 Dec 2020)
Milestones	He became the first roller speed skater representing Canada to win a medal at the Pan American Games when he claimed bronze in the road 10,000m points race at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, ON, Canada. (SportsDeskOnline, 19 Oct 2018; olympic.ca, 12 Feb 2017)