Their mission: to provide athletes with strategic and personalized support, both on site and in the lead-up to the Games, to help them perform at their best when it matters most.
They are joined by Marc-André Duchesneau, who’s Team Québec’s Coach Development and Innovation Advisor and Martin Roy, Senior Advisor Performance Services. Salma Flores-Desrochers (not present when the photo was taken), who coordinates the program, completes the INS Québec delegation.
Evelyne Telmosse, Sport Nutritionist
Third appearance at the Canada Games
Q: What does your role involve before and during the Games?
A: Before the Games, I help athletes arrive nutritionally prepared. That starts with supporting their day-to-day fueling needs for training, then developing tailored nutrition strategies leading up to competition. As we approach the Games, I prepare them for the unique context of the event: navigating local menus, planning for different conditions, and anticipating the unexpected—like long competition days and energy dips.
During the Games, I’m on-site at the village and competition venues to support athletes directly. I help them make smart food choices, get ready for events, and ensure they have everything they need to fuel and recover effectively. I also respond in real time to unexpected issues—GI distress, low energy, delays, heat/humidity. In short, I’m there to help athletes feel good and ready to perform.
Q: How does nutrition impact performance in a multisport setting?
A: In a multisport context, nutrition doesn’t just boost physical performance—it also supports recovery, focus, sleep, and stress management. A solid nutrition strategy is key to navigating back-to-back events and unpredictable schedules. It can make a real difference and bring out the full value of all those hours of training.
Elena Grilli Cadieux, Sport Psychologist and Mental Performance Consultant
Second appearance at the Canada Games
Q: How do you support athletes mentally before the Games?
A: Mental preparation can take the form of group workshops on topics like motivation, confidence, stress and emotion regulation, focus, pre-performance routines, and visualization techniques. There’s also the option for individual consultations to address specific needs.
Q: How do you support athletes on-site if they’re going through a difficult time?
A: I provide a safe and compassionate space for athletes to talk about what they’re going through—stress before competing, emotions after a tough performance, fear of failure, etc. This may take place one-on-one or in group settings before or after events.
Q: Do you have a favorite tool or technique you’d like to share?
A: I love using the five senses grounding exercise to bring athletes back to the present moment during stressful situations: Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.
Ioana Gheta, Strength and Conditioning Coach
Third appearance at the Canada Games – and a former Canada Games athlete (2015)
Q: What are your main priorities before the Games?
A: My focus is on equipping athletes and coaches by teaching proper activation and recovery techniques and the value of structured physical routines. I guide them through key steps for effective warm-ups, recovery strategies, and how to adapt these to their own needs to enhance performance. The goal is for them to gain autonomy and make smart decisions about their physical preparation.
Q: What role do you play on-site during the Games?
A: I provide daily support to help athletes prepare physically and recover well. This includes targeted activations, cooldowns after competition, yoga, guided stretching, and personalized mobility routines. My role is to give them the tools to manage their bodies and energy throughout the competition.
Q: What does it mean to be on the ground with them during the Games?
A: Being there allows me to continue the work we’ve started ahead of time. I can support athletes during a crucial phase of their journey—helping them stay grounded, confident, and ready to perform. It’s also a privilege to witness the result of their efforts and help foster a stable, supportive environment that promotes peak performance.
The entire INS Québec team wishes them a meaningful, successful Games experience in St. John’s. Go Team Québec!
