Decorated ice dancer Paul Poirier has been appointed to Skate Canada’s board of directors, as confirmed by the organization on Thursday. Poirier achieved an Olympic bronze medal alongside his longtime partner Piper Gilles at the recent Milan Cortina Winter Games. Hailing from Unionville, Ontario, the 34-year-old has an extensive 19-year senior-level competitive career, with 15 of those years spent partnering with Gilles. He has accumulated five world championship medals and six Canadian titles during his illustrious career.
Although Poirier and Gilles have not officially retired, they were not selected for Skate Canada’s national team for the upcoming season. Gilles had previously announced in June that they would be taking a break from the Grand Prix circuit to rest and recharge. In a recent development, Gilles will be joining the coaching team at Ice Dance Elite in Richmond Hill, Ontario, under the guidance of their coach Carol Lane.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Poirier stated, “It’s an honor to take on this new responsibility. I look forward to contributing an athlete’s perspective to the board and exploring ways to further enhance the sport of skating in Canada.” According to Skate Canada’s official website, the board of directors plays a pivotal role in establishing governance, strategic planning, and evaluation to drive the growth of skating in the country. The board convenes regularly throughout the year to make significant policy decisions, which are then communicated to the broader membership during Skate Canada’s Annual General Meeting.