Émilie-Joane Heymans (born December 14, 1981) is a Canadian diver. She was born in Brussels, Belgium and raised in Greenfield Park, a suburb of Montreal. Heymans has won four Olympic medals, two bronze and two silver. She was the first female diver to win medals in four consecutive Olympic games and the first Canadian to win medals in four consecutive Olympics. Heymans also is a one time world champion and has won four Pan American championships as well as one Commonwealth Games championship. In addition she has won multiple medals in all three of these competitions.
Career
Before becoming a diver, Heymans was a gymnast. She began diving in 1993, at age 11, after her coaches told her she did not have the physique to be a gymnast. Sylvie Bernier, a CBC Sports analyst and former gold medal diver, said of Heymans that "Emilie has won a medal at four straight Games and with three different partners. She has a quiet confidence and always believes she can do it. She doesn't need to tell the whole world."
In January 2013, Heymans retired from the sport.
Personal life
Born in Brussels, Heymans moved with her family to Quebec after her mother competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal as a fencer. Her mother, Marie-Paule Van Eyck, was an Olympic fencer for Belgium.
Competitive history
- Heymans won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in 10 m platform synchro with partner Anne Montminy.
- Heymans won a gold medal at the 2003 World Championships in Barcelona, Spain in the 10 m platform.
- Heymans won bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the women's 3 metre springboard synchronized diving event, with partner Jennifer Abel.