Virginie Chénier

Biography

Virginie Chénier was the runner-up at the Americas Olympic Qualifier in Medellin, Colombia in April 2024, but just by reaching the final where she faced teammate Kristine Esebua, she had helped secure Canada a quota spot in women’s individual recurve for Paris 2024. Just a few days later, Chénier won her first career individual medal at the Pan American Championships, taking the bronze. She also won bronze in the mixed team event with Eric Peters. 

Chénier has represented Canada at three editions of the Pan American Games, starting at Toronto 2015. She finished 18^th individually and helped Canada to a sixth-place finish in women’s team recurve. She clinched a spot for Canada at the Lima 2019 Pan Am Games with a gold medal at the Pan American Qualification Tournament and went on to post a ninth-place finish in Lima. At Santiago 2023, she reached the quarterfinals in individual recurve and finished as the top Canadian woman in eighth place. She placed sixth in the mixed team event with Peters. 

Chénier began training for competition just two weeks after she first started shooting. She made her international debut at the cadet level at the 2008 World Youth Championships, having just turned 14. She competed at two more world championships as a cadet before moving up to the junior ranks in 2012. At that year’s world junior indoor championships she finished ninth individually and just missed the podium in the team event. 

In 2013 she competed at both the senior and junior World Archery Championships. Chénier achieved an early career highlight when she finished fourth in the junior individual recurve event at the 2014 Pan American Championships. Chénier made her Archery World Cup debut in May 2014 in Medellin. She earned her career best World Cup result in Medellin in 2016 when she finished 17^th. 

Chénier was a double medallist at the 2011 Canada Games, taking individual gold and team bronze with Team Quebec. 

A Little More About Virginie

Getting into the Sport: Started in archery at age 11… An artistic gymnast from 1999 to 2005, she was looking for another sport by attending different open houses… An archery coach asked her club about any gymnasts who had recently stopped because their back muscles are well-developed for archery… The coach contacted her so she gave it a try and loved it… Outside Interests: Graduated from McGill University in 2017 with a degree in Geography and International Development… Would like to pursue a career in urban planning…   Enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing in the winter and camping, golfing, canoeing in the summer… Odds and Ends: Nicknames: V, Nini… Wears two elastics on her right wrist when she shoots… Favourite quote: “I wanted to prove a real champion smiles no matter what.” – Sandra Izbasa (Romanian gymnast)…