Montreal, February 22, 2022 – Thanks to the5th edition of the Bonneville 808 Challenge, the Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ) is pleased to announce the awarding of $216,500 in individual bursaries to 75 outstanding student-athletes from 27 sponsors or partners of the successful event. In addition, 7 triathlon student-athletes were recognized, receiving a total of $19,000 in individual bursaries from 6 partners of the successful event.
The last Défi 808 Bonneville was held on September 17 and 18, 2021, at Mont-Tremblant. This 5th edition, presented by Fenplast and Lowe’s Canada in collaboration with Québecor and Samson Groupe Conseil, a member of the Lussier Dale Parizeau group, was a resounding success, raising $450,000.
This noon, during a presentation on Zoom, presenting sponsors Fenplast ($18,000) and Lowe’s Canada ($10,000), major partners Bonneville ($56,000), Planète Courrier ($32,000), Cogeco Media ($18,000) and Québecor ($12,000), as well as 21 other sponsors or partners, were able to present their bursary(ies) and virtually meet the student-athletes they sponsor (see table below).
What they said:
“The 2021 edition of the Bonneville 808 Challenge has moved me once again. To see 325 participants challenge themselves, step out of their comfort zone, train and adopt healthy lifestyle habits to succeed in crossing the finish line makes me very happy. As an added bonus, we can now reward the academic and athletic efforts of no fewer than 75 student-athletes! The 26 other sponsors and partners accompanying me can also take great pride in contributing to their own well-being and that of the scholarship recipients they support.”
– Dany Bonneville, president and founder of the Défi 808 Bonneville and ultracyclist
“The Bonneville 808 Challenge is a way for sponsors and partners to make a valuable philanthropic gesture. Firstly, for them and their staff, who have the chance to take up a healthy and enjoyable sporting challenge while rubbing shoulders with numerous scholarship recipients. Secondly, by providing financial and moral support to young student-athletes in their academic and sporting endeavours. Every year, the results of the efforts put into organizing this cycling event for the general public are very tangible and always extremely satisfying.”
– Martin Lavigne, President of the Foundation for Athletic Excellence
Table of the 7 bursary recipients for the Bonneville 2021 808 Challenge
| Name | Discipline | Age | Amount | * | City | School |
| Fenplast | ||||||
| Filip Mainville | triathlon | 22 | 4000 $ | S | Laval | Laval University |
| Barsalou Lawson Rheault | ||||||
| Alexandrine Coursol | triathlon | 20 | 4000 $ | EX | Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu | Arizona State University |
| Alphafixe Capital: $7,000 in scholarships for 2 recipients | ||||||
| Pavlos Antoniades | triathlon | 21 | 4000 $ | EX | Trois-Rivières | University of Montreal |
| Normand Béliveau and Pierre Dubé: $4,000 in bursaries for 2 recipients | ||||||
| Reboost | ||||||
| Kamille Larocque | triathlon | 22 | 2000 $ | EX | Gatineau (Aylmer) | Laval University |
| Michaël Simard | triathlon | 20 | 2000 $ | EX | Magog | Cégep de Sherbrooke |
| Chappuis Halder | ||||||
| Mathis Beaulieu | triathlon | 17 | 1500 $ | S | Québec (Beauport) | Cégep Garneau |
| Seahorse | ||||||
| Louis Marchand | Triathlon | 18 | 1500 $ | EX | Varennes | Champlain College – Saint-Lambert |
| * EX: academic excellence / S: support for academic and sporting success | ||||||
About the Bonneville 808 Challenge
The Bonneville 808 Challenge is a public cycling event benefiting the Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ). Participants have a choice of road, gravel or electric bike challenges. The 6th edition of the event will take place on September 16 and 17, again in Mont-Tremblant. defi808bonneville.com
About the Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ)
Since its creation in 1985, the FAEQ has awarded no less than $19 million in bursaries, representing 6,525 individual bursaries to 3,300 different scholarship recipients. The FAEQ not only provides financial support to Quebec student-athletes, but also accompaniment services in terms of academic guidance, reconciling sport and studies, internships, and so on. FAEQ stands out for its personalized approach, rigorous management and influential role in the sports and education communities. faeq.com
