Canada's first gold medal in Sochi won by Justine Dufour-Lapointe

Prime Minister Harper congratulates Justine Dufour-Lapointe on winning Canada’s first Olympic gold medal in Sochi, in the women's freestyle skiing moguls’ event on February 8, 2014: “On behalf of all Canadians, I would like to congratulate Justine Dufour-Lapointe on winning Canada’s first Olympic gold medal in Sochi in such spectacular form in the women's freestyle skiing moguls’ event.

“What makes this story even more remarkable is the fact that her sisters, Maxime and Chloé Dufour-Lapointe, also had stellar performances in the same event, with Chloé earning the silver medal. What a powerhouse family of skiers! These are tremendous accomplishments that have sparked a wave of pride across the entire country. We look forward to more great moments in sport from our outstanding Olympic Team.”

· Justine Dufour-Lapointe was born in Montreal, Quebec, and resides in Montreal. This is Ms. Dufour-Lapointe’s first medal in her first Olympic Games. She was the 2013 FIS World Championship bronze medalist in moguls and has previously finished second in both the 2011-12 and 2012-13 FIS World Cup Moguls Standings.

· Justine Dufour-Lapointe’s two sisters Chloé and Maxime are also on Canada’s 2014 Winter Olympic Freestyle Skiing Team.

· Justine Dufour-Lapointe’s gold medal in Women’s Moguls is Canada’s second gold in the event. The first was won by Jenn Heil at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

· Canada is represented by more than 221 athletes competing in 15 winter sport disciplines.