Photo credit: Christian Manzoni

Jamie Robb began skiing when he was two and by the ripe old age of nine, he was keen to try shooting. Biathlon was a good fit. After he graduated from high school in 2002, he moved to Canmore, Alberta to train with the junior national biathlon team. Competing at the Olympics became his full-time pursuit. Full time, that is, with the exception of his Athabasca University studies.

"The first course I took was a political science course and I loved it (though I admit, I needed an extra extension!). I chose AU because the courses are easily transferable to other post-secondary institutions. It is important to me to be able to continue my studies while pursuing sport and AU was a great option to do so. AU courses work with my schedule because I spend roughly one third of the year on the road training and competing in biathlon. I need to be able to bring my coursework with me so I can work at my own pace in any environment."

He has competed in 16 World Cup races, spent nine years on the national biathlon team and has won a bronze medal at the 2009 IBU Cup and a bronze medal at the world junior championships. He was unsuccessful in his bid to qualify for Vancouver 2010.

He still has many goals in his future, including finishing his bachelor's degree and perhaps continuing with further studies. "I am keen to start working and am looking to give back to my community through public speaking and coaching efforts."