January 4, 2006 – Heading into Turin, one of the more notable Canadian stories involving the pursuit of the Olympic dream can be found with biathlete Martine Albert (Rimouski, Que.).

A veteran of the women’s biathlon national team, Albert is scheduled to make her first appearance at the Olympic Winter Games in February at 32 years of age.

After failing in her attempts to qualify for both the 1998 and 2002 Canadian Olympic Teams, Albert’s Olympic dreams appeared to be over following her retirement announcement in 2002.

However, after two and a half years away from the sport, Albert elected to make one final attempt in her bid to qualify for the Olympic Winter Games.

Upon her return to the sport, Albert successfully qualified for the 2005-06 women’s national team and a few months later the 12-time Canadian champion was finally able to realize her Olympic dream by helping Canada’s relay squad qualify for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games.