The 71-year-old athlete has just won his second gold medal in a week after competing on Aug. 5 at the Triathlon Cascades de Drummondville in the Canadian Olympic Age Group Championship.

“I don’t wear both medals,” said Shore. “I don’t want to overdo it.”

The Rosemount Avenue resident may be familiar to readers of the Examiner. Ten years ago it ran an article about Shore and his mentor, Sid Kastner, now 75, who is also still running Olympic distance triathlons.

In Olympic distance triathlons athletes swim 1.5 kilometres, bike 40 kilometres, and run 10 kilometres.

“I have slowed up a little in the past 10 years,” said Shore, a semi-retired financial advisor. Last year, while training for the Montreal Esprit Triathlon, he suffered a fractured pelvis when his bike was caught up in a railway tie 10 days before the race. He spent two and a half months in a wheelchair, but kept a positive attitude.

“The wheelchair was good for the upper body,” said Shore. “I would go uphill with the wheelchair.”

Shore resumed his six-day weekly training schedule as soon as he had healed. He combines stretch classes and swimming at the Snowdon YMHA, with outdoor runs and cycling with his friend Harold Hoffman.

Hoffman, 77, began cycling with Shore about 26 years ago. Along with a third friend, they cycle 40 kilometres together a few times during the week and do longer rides of about 130 kilometres on weekends.

“Morris is the baby in the bunch,” said Hoffman. “I have to give him credit for his fast recovery. He’s a very determined guy and he trains a lot.”

Sustained training is key to longevity in sport according to Danny McCann, director of the Montreal Esprit Triathlon, who has known Shore since 1999. “You can swim, bike and run your whole life,” said McCann. “When you get older, you do it to stay healthy and keep on going. Morris is the type of role model we want to see. That’s where I want to be when I’m 70!”

Shore began competing again in June at the Mont Tremblant Triathlon. Since then Shore has completed four races and come in first in his category in every race. However, he is often the only athlete racing in his age category. “I come in dead last, but I still get a gold medal,” said Shore, whose best time this year was 2:35:38 at the Mont Habitant Triathlon.

Shore says he wouldn’t mind a little more competition, especially in the running portion. “I’m a good cyclist, but running is all work,” said Shore. “It’s easier to run if you have someone to chase.”

Shore will have the opportunity to chase runners in next year’s Triathlon World Championships, to be held in Vancouver. Because he placed first in his category at Drummondville, Shore was able to register for the World Championships National Team.

He looks forward to meeting athletes from around the world.

“The people who do triathlons are fun,” said Shore. “I don’t want to be with negative people. I want to be with positive people who are taking care of their bodies.”