By: Normand Gosselin

We think especially of her as mayor of Val-d’Or but the role of Céline Brindamour in the Tour de l’Abitibi has been most important over the past 15 years. Representing the City of Val-d’Or on the Tour’s Board of Directors, she also volunteered and trained her three children to volunteer. While one of her daughters was a nurse, the other was involved in organizing the gala; her son held several positions away from the spotlights, particularly interpreting for some racing teams.

Céline Brindamour was an all-purpose volunteer, without any specific task, but her services were particularly required to solve problems that arose without warning, at any time. She even got up once in the middle of the night to accompany a team of runners to the airport.

She realizes that it really takes a good organization to ensure the smooth running of the event, especially since there is a change of host city every two years. Val-d’Or is host city this year and will be again next year; it will be the turn of Rouyn-Noranda in 2026 and 2027. Quite legitimately, Rouyn-Noranda held firm and got to be the host city in 2026 as it celebrates its centenary. This will be followed by Amos, the cradle of the Tour, in 2028-2029.

For the mayor of Val-d’Or, an interesting element is the social acceptance of holding the Tour in its streets, especially since each of the three main cities of the region plays the same role as host city for two years of affiliation, then takes a four-year break before taking center stage again. Financially, each of these three cities pays a uniform contribution from one year to the next, which brings a regularity that reduces the debates when adopting their annual budget. As for the less populous cities of Malartic and Senneterre, their financial contribution, either directly or with the contribution of corporate citizens, is equally essential and appreciated. Céline Brindamour considers that the additional costs generated by her role as host city are relatively low and easily absorbable.

Val-d’Or considers the Tour as an opportunity for solidarity between the cities of the region, appreciating the very positive image that this event projects of Abitibi throughout America and the world, especially among the 42 countries that have delegated their junior team since the beginning.

On a more human level, Céline Brindamour notes that this competition contributes considerably to influence young people to engage in sports, to adopt healthy lifestyle habits.  As for the runners, their leaders and other companions, she could notice that these people are generally generous and that they appreciate their stay here.

Little remark from the author of this text: Céline Brindamour’s eyes shine like stars when she talks about the Tour de l’Abitibi.

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