‘Olympic dream coming true’: Edmonton biathlon coach guiding Canada at Winter Games

Biathlon combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting, pushing athletes to balance speed and precision.

While Canadian athletes compete on the biggest stage at the Olympics, one of the coaches guiding them is from Edmonton.

Helene Jørgensen has been immersed in the sport of biathlon for as long as she can remember.

“I grew up in Norway watching biathlon on TV and I always thought it was the coolest sport in the world,” she said.

Jørgensen, who trains at the Edmonton Nordic Ski Club, she started competing in biathlon at the age of nine, calling it her first love.

“Although I didn’t make it to the Olympic level as an athlete myself, I do think this is definitely an Olympic dream coming true for me as a coach,” Jørgensen.

Jørgensen has trained athletes, fine-tuned technique and built trust with her students.

She spoke to CityNews from Italy, where she is currently training first-time Olympian Jasper Fleming.

“I’m very proud Helene is my coach and I can tell people that I’ve been working with the same coach and I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished every step of the way,” said Fleming, who calls Squamish, B.C., home but was born in St. Albert.

The partnership that started more than a decade ago has led the duo to Milan to compete on the Olympic stage, alongside the best of the best.

“This is the biggest dream of my whole life, since the moment Helene started coaching me, I don’t know if I ever told her this directly but this has been my biggest dream and the fact I’m realizing this at 20 years old feels pretty surreal,” Fleming said.

Fleming isn’t the only athlete Jørgensen has left her mark on; young kids in Edmonton have also benefited from her expertise.

“She was such a positive influence,” said Don Linklater, a volunteer at the Edmonton Nordic Ski Club whose kids were coached by Jørgensen.

“She really encouraged them to be accountable for their actions and for their energy and just be positive people.”

While she hopes her student will claim the top step of the podium in Italy, Jørgensen says competing at the Olympic Games is about more than just winning.

“I do feel it is really important to show that there are different coaches out there that aren’t necessarily looking one way,” the coach said.

“All I can say is it’s pretty incredible what she’s done and what we’ve accomplished together,” Fleming added.

The biathlon mixed relay will take place Sunday.