Olympic champion Sylvie Frchette to run as Conservative candidate

Sylvie Frchette, an Olympic medallist in synchronized swimming, will be running for the Conservative Party of Canada in the riding of Rivire-du-Nord in this fall's election, Radio-Canada has learned.

With the nomination of this star candidate, Andrew Scheer hopes to snatch the riding, which is currently held byBloc QubcoisMP RhalFortin.

Frchettewill officially announce her leap into politics onMonday. In a French written statement sent to Radio-Canada, sheexplainedwhy she wants to run under theConservative banner.

"The Conservative Party is the party that most respects Quebec and always works to improve people's lives, the lives of families," she said.

"I always wanted to improve the lives of people around me," she added, citing her role as a mother, a coach, and her work withcharitable causes.

"For me, politics is a way to help more people. I am and have always been proud of my city, my province, my country."

One Conservative source said this nominationwill change the game in Rivire-du-Nord, which has strong Bloc roots.

In 2015, the Conservative candidate finished fourth.

The former Olympian will faceFortin, who was also acting head of hisparty.

Results in Rivire-du-Nord in the 2015 election

Bloc Qubcois32%

New Democratic Party: 30%

Liberal Party of Canada: 26%

Conservative Party of Canada 8.5%

* Source: Elections Canada

For the party, it suggests that Scheer is able to attract big names.

This is not the first time that the Conservatives have relied on the reputation of their candidates to make gains in Quebec. It's the "Richard Martel recipe,"noted one Conservative who spoke to Radio-Canada.

In 2018, the Conservatives won the byelection in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord at the expense of the Liberalsafter recruiting Martel, the former hockey coach of the Chicoutimi Saguenensas, as a candidate. He was a celebrated figure in the region.

This is the tactic that the Conservatives will try to repeat withFrchette, who has similarly made her mark inSt. Jerome, where she lives. The athlete has founded theNeptune synchronized swimming club for youth in hercommunity.

When herOlympic career ended,Frchettebegan giving lectures,became aproject manager for the Canadian Olympic Committee, as well as a coach for Cirque du Soleil.

She won a gold medal in at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, where a score error from a Brazilian judge denied her that honour for 16 months until the International Olympic Committee corrected the record.She also won silver in the team event at the Atlanta Games in 1996.

Frchette is not the only athlete to try her luck in politics. In August,former cyclist Lyne Bessette announced plans to represent the Liberal Party of Canada.