MONTGOMERY, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont’s own Elle St. Pierre is making a name for herself on the international stage. The small-town athlete has become a big Olympic star.
“It is an amazing trip we are on right now. We all are on it, it’s not just Elle. She’s doing the work, but we are all enjoying the ride I think,” said Annie Purrier, St. Pierre’s mom.
Annie Purrier has lived in the town of Montgomery with her husband and three kids for many years now. She says all her kids were very active growing up, especially her daughter Elle, who competes Tuesday morning in the women’s 1,500-meter race at the 2024 Olympics.
It’s something Purrier thought would never happen.
“It started to come into vision when she was in college. So no, in the very beginning, no. It was just never a, it was never her goal in life– is to be in the Olympics. But I think after she understood what it was, that’s what she wanted,” Purrier said.
Elle started her athletic career in middle school when she was in Girls on the Run, and in high school, she played basketball and soccer.
Richford Junior Senior High School Principal Beth O’Brien says Elle actually helped establish the school’s cross-country track and field programs. She always remembered Elle as one of the school’s star athletes and knew she’d do big things.
“Extremely hard worker, very competitive and strong. That’s a word that comes to mind when I think of Elle, strong. We are very proud of her and it’s emotional,” O’Brien said.
This is the second time Elle is competing in the Olympics. Her hometown school is putting on a watch party for her in the school’s gym at 4 a.m. on Tuesday. Community members have put signs up to support her.
Purrier says she hopes her daughter wins a medal.
“It’s sometimes very hard to talk about because I get very emotional,” Purrier said. “So yes, we are very proud of, we are very proud of her. It really doesn’t matter how well she’s done. She’s been successful. We want her to win a medal. We want her to get where she wants to be. But we are proud no matter what.”