[À VOIR] 142 years of the history of this prestigious training center in pictures

Over the course of its 142 years of existence, the MAA Athletic Club, located on Belle Street in downtown Montreal since 1905, has seen its name shine thanks to the Stanley Cup champions and the Gray Cup in particular. . In 1976, during the Montreal Games, it saw more than 35 of its members win Olympic medals since 1904. One of the oldest clubs of its kind in North America is the only one with documents in the National Archives in Ottawa. A rich culture today covers the walls of the newly rebuilt club. Below are important dates in the history of the MAA Athletic Club.

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1881

The Montreal Cycling Club, Montreal Racquet Club and Montreal Lacrosse Club merged to create the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA).

William Gillis Ross was a Canadian cycling champion in the 1- and 5-mile races in 1882.

Photo courtesy of MAA Montreal Athletic Club

1893

The MAAA hockey team won its first Stanley Cup with a 7-4 victory over Winnipeg. It also won the prestigious cup in 1894, 1902 and 1903.

The 1883 Stanley Cup champion team.

Photo courtesy of MAA Athletic Club

1932

The club’s wheel-and-wings logo was inspired by MAAA member James Morris when he became owner of the Detroit Red Wings.

MAAA logo

Photo by Mylene Richard

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1904

The first individual gold medal in Canadian history at the Olympic Games was won by Etienne Desmarteau. He was victorious in St. Louis, Missouri, in the hammer throw. His giant portrait is reproduced on the wall of the Le 1881 restaurant.

Etienne Desmarteau

Photo courtesy of MAA Athletic Club

1905

MAAA has been located on Peel Street since 1905.

Montreal Amateur Athletic Association in 1905.

Photo courtesy of MAA Athletic Club

1912

At the Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden, George Hodgson represented the MAAA well as he became the first Canadian to reach the top of the podium twice in swimming. He won the 1,500 meters and 400 meters freestyle, setting a world record in the first event as well as two Olympic records.

George Hodgson

Photo courtesy of MAA Athletic Club

1920

Boxer Bert Schneider won the Canadian welterweight belt, before winning the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium. He won three of the four rounds in the final.

Bert Schneider

Photo courtesy of MAA Athletic Club

1928

On the occasion of women’s first participation in the Olympic Games, Myrtle Cook distinguished herself in athletics by winning gold in the 400 meter relay race at the Amsterdam Games in the Netherlands.

1931

The MAAA soccer team hoisted the Gray Cup with a 22-0 win over the Regina Roughriders.

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MAAA Football Team

Maya Sports Club

1934

The expansion allows for the addition of several sports including squash and badminton.

Montreal Amateur Athletic Association building in 1934.

Photo courtesy of MAA Athletic Club

1956

Skater Lucille Wheeler took home a bronze medal from the Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Two years later, she became world champion in giant slalom and downhill.

Lucille Wheeler

Photo courtesy of MAA Athletic Club

1962

Swimmer Richard Pound, known as Dick, won four Commonwealth Games medals, including a gold, before becoming a member of the International Olympic Committee and head of the World Anti-Doping Agency. In 1960, he participated in the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Richard “Dick” Pound

Photo courtesy of MAA Athletic Club

1988

Carolyn Waldo won two gold medals in the singles and duets in synchronized swimming at the Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.

Carolyn Waldo

Photo courtesy of MAA Athletic Club

1998

The MAAA was saved from bankruptcy by 80 shareholders, and the MAA Athletic Club (A oforganized removed) and major refurbishment work is currently underway with a view to reopening in November 1999.

Montreal Amateur Athletic Association (MAAA) building in 1995.

Photo courtesy of MAA Athletic Club

2018

Devimco Group has been selected to build a tower with more than 300 apartments spread over 35 floors, above MAA.

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The MAA Athletic Club building, on Bell Street, in 2018.

Photo courtesy of MAA Athletic Club

This is what the condo tower above the MAA Sports Club will look like.

Illustration provided by MAA Sports Club, Devimco Group

2023

Reopening of the club, which has retained its historic facade since 1905.

MAA Athletic Club during its official reopening on September 7, 2023.

Photography by Pierre-Paul Poulin, Le Journal de Montreal