At the age of 25, Marie-Pier Beaudet from Quebec City is already a three-time Canadian Olympian in archery, and she wants more.
After a disappointing 33rd-place finish in women's recurve at the 2012 London Olympics, Beaudet is already setting her sights on the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Beaudet is competing at the Canadian Archery Championships this weekend on the lower fields at Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre but she is still thinking about those London Games.
"After the Games, I only had three days at home before coming here,'' said Beaudet. "With all the travelling and the pressure of the Games, it was tough to come here but the Quebec Archery Federation made it mandatory for us to attend.
I've had a very good year and I was expecting a top10 finish in London but I had two bad arrows and it cost me.
"I could have used some more time at home just to talk to some people, reflect on the Games and refocus.''
On Friday, Beaudet had a total score of 1,276 to lead the way in the senior women's recurve category. She also set a Canadian record at the 30-metre distance, scoring 350 out of a possible 360 points.
"The 1,276 total is my worst score of the year,'' said Beaudet. "I'll go and watch some Olympics on television and aim for a better score [today].''
The Canadian titles will be decided today in the various divisions, starting at 10 a.m. while the Canadian Open portion (elimination round) goes Sunday, starting at 9 a.m.
Beaudet earned sa国际传媒's women's team a spot in the London Olympics with a victory at the World Americas Continental Olympic Qualifier in Columbia. Then she had to win the six-women Canadian Olympic Qualifier to return to the Olympics.
"At my first Olympics when I was 17 in Athens, I was so impressed and I just had to see everything. It was such a special feeling just to be there.''
At Athens, Beaudet was the youngest archer to ever wear the Canadian colours at the Olympics.
"As a veteran of the Olympics, I know how the tournament works, living in the village and how to handle the stress. At London, there were six of us in the village apartment. The others were competing in judo and tennis.
"One of the most impressive things for me about the Olympics is shooting in a stadium before 4,000 or 5,000 fans.''
Beaudet, who is coached by her father, Denis, started archery when she was nine.
"I tried a lot of different sports when I was young but I really like archery.
"I work hard at it as I practice a lot. I'm usually very consistent and that comes from good coaching, working out and the right nutrition.''
After the Canadians, Beaudet will compete in the Quebec provincials in September before taking some time off.
