Emilie Mondor dies in car accident

I did not know Emilie very well, but I did race against her a few times - she was a very talented woman who was dedicated to her sport. The Canadian running community has lost one of its stars.

Distance runner Émilie Mondor — who competed for Canada in the 5,000-metre event at the 2004 Olympics in Athens — was killed on the weekend in a car accident.

Mondor, whose hometown was Mascouche, Que., died just around noon on Saturday near Hawkesbury, Ont., Ontario Provincial Police said.

Police said the 25-year-old was driving on Highway 417 when she lost control of her car.

"I want to express my deepest condolences to the family of Emilie Mondor," the runner's agent Ray Flynn said in a statement.

"Emilie had an extreme passion for running and the sport of athletics and it was contagious to all around her."

Mondor came in 17th place in the 5,000 metres at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, in 15:20.15.

According to Athletics Canada, her personal best in the event was a time of 14:59.68 at the World Championships in Paris in 2003.

Injuries sidelined Mondor for the 2005 season, but she returned to competition as a marathon runner in 2006.

"Emilie had a bright future ahead of her and was very much looking forward to making her debut in the 2006 ING New York City Marathon," said Flynn.

"We will all miss her dearly."