Félix Dolci Interview: Insights into His Gymnastics Career

30 questions to Félix Dolci

Early Life & Career

Félix Dolci was born on May 5, 2002, in Saint-Eustache, Québec, Canada, and commenced his journey in artistic gymnastics at the age of five in Laval, located north of Montreal. He began his competitive career in 2009. Despite his parents’ attempts to engage him in hockey and soccer, he sought a sport that would allow him to channel his energy effectively.

In 2018, he distinguished himself as the first Canadian to secure a men’s gymnastics medal at the Youth Olympic Games by winning silver on rings. In 2019, he established himself as the most decorated athlete in the history of the Canada Games, amassing a total of 11 medals.

Later that year, Félix Dolci achieved a historic milestone at the inaugural FIG Junior World Championships, becoming Canada’s first-ever junior world champion with a gold medal performance on the rings. Additionally, he earned a silver medal on the floor at the same competition.

He turned senior in 2020 and garnered several medals at the Pan American Championships and Pan American Games. The years 2023 and 2024 were pivotal for Félix: he was a member of the team at the 2023 World Championships in Antwerp, where he contributed to Canada’s MAG securing a place for the Olympics in Paris. Additionally, he qualified for the floor final, achieving a commendable fifth-place ranking. During the 2024 Olympic Games, Canada qualified for the team final, and Félix participated in the All-Around final.

Part 1: Félix Dolci & Artistic Gymnastics

How and when did you start in gymnastics?

I started gymnastics when I was about five years old. My parents put me in different sports to see what I liked, and gymnastics just clicked. I loved the challenge, the movements, and the fact that there was always something new to learn. And it was also extremely difficult and competitive.

What’s your favorite apparatus to do?

I’d say floor or horizontal bar. Floor lets me express power and creativity, while the bar is extremely impressive and gives me such a unique feeling of flying over the bar.

And to watch?

High bar is always exciting. The releases, the height, and the risks make it one of the most entertaining events to watch.

Which gymnast do you most admire?

It’s hard to pick just one, but Uchimura Kōhei is a legend. His technique, consistency, and longevity in the sport were on another level.

Which gymnastics competition do you have the best memory of?

The Paris Olympic Games were a huge moment for me, but also, the 2019 Junior World Championships, where I won gold on rings. That was a turning point in my career.

Who’s the funniest gymnast you know?

Difficult question ha ha. There’s a few, but I would say that Asher Hong (USA) always has something funny to say. He’s also a fun guy to be around in general. But there’s many good answers to this question!

What do you like best about gymnastics?

The constant challenge. There’s always something to improve, and you can never really “master” the sport. That keeps it exciting.

What do you dislike most about gymnastics?

The injuries. They’re part of the sport, but they can be frustrating when they slow down your progress.

How do you handle your success?

By staying grounded. Gymnastics is about longevity, and success comes and goes. I focus on what’s next instead of dwelling on past achievements.

Which element are you the proudest of?

My rings routine. I’ve worked hard to build strength and clean execution, and it’s an apparatus where I feel confident.

If you could eliminate one of the six events, which one would it be?

Honestly, I wouldn’t eliminate any, since I think all the events are here for a reason and make the sport extremely balanced. But without pommel horse, my life would definitely be easier. Although I am not trying to have an easy life in the first place. That’s just not for me. 

If you could add another event, would it be beam, uneven bars, tumbling, trampoline, flying rings, rhythmic gymnastics…?

I’d add tumbling. It’s explosive, dynamic, and really showcases raw power.

How do you overcome fears and mental blocks (if any)?

I break things down step by step, focus on technique, and trust my training. Visualization helps a lot too. I have a lot of faith in myself and I learned how to be patient in the sport. I think that helps tremendously.

Have you ever wanted to quit, and if so, what made you stay?

There were tough moments, especially with injuries, but the love for the sport always pulled me back. The feeling of hitting a routine and pushing my limits is something I don’t want to give up. So I’ve never really had serious intentions of quitting.

Your next objective in MAG?

To keep elevating my level and make an impact on the international stage. The World Championships are a big goal this year. But I want to become Olympic champion and change the sport in many ways in my country. 

What do you want to do after you retire as a competing gymnast?

I’m interested in content creation, business, and staying involved in sports. I want to help grow gymnastics in Canada and maybe explore opportunities in media or entrepreneurship. But again very hard to say for now since life moves very fast. 

What’s your view on the culture of abuse, mistreatment, and toxic environments in gymnastics?

It’s an issue that has affected gymnasts around the world, and it’s important that it’s being addressed. Gymnastics should be a place where athletes feel safe, supported, and able to reach their full potential without fear of mistreatment. The culture is slowly changing, but there’s still work to do in ensuring a healthier and more positive environment for future generations.

Is there a sense of camaraderie in international competitions? Is it easy to communicate with other gymnasts and share experiences?

Definitely. There’s a mutual respect among gymnasts because we all understand the dedication and sacrifices required for this sport. Even though we compete against each other, there’s still a strong sense of support. Communication can sometimes be a challenge with language barriers, but overall, it’s easy to connect and share experiences, especially with gymnasts I see regularly on the circuit.

Have you ever met your gymnastics idols? If so, what happened?

Yes, I’ve met a few! Meeting Uchimura Kōhei was a big moment for me. He’s such a legend in the sport, and seeing him up close made me appreciate even more how effortless he makes everything look. It was inspiring and motivating to watch him train and compete.

Do you have a plan for the next quad (2025-2028)?

The goal is to keep improving and staying competitive on the world stage. Team Canada made big strides in the last quad, and I want to help continue that momentum. Personally, I’m focused on refining my routines, increasing my difficulty, and making a strong impact at World Championships and major international events leading up to the next Olympic cycle. To speak precisely about results, I have my sights on a world title and an Olympic title. Additionally I’m dreaming of the day where MAG gymnastics in Canada will be top 5 in the world.

PART 2: Félix Dolci & His Existential Questions

When and where were you happiest?

This is definitely a tough one for me since I struggle to find deep, deep happiness since I’ve always desired more even after achieving something great. But I would say making myself proud and my family definitely is what brings me happiness in the end as well as my coach since he’s like a father to me. If I need to select a specific moment, I think qualifying our team in Antwerp for the Paris Olympics was such a big thing for me, I remember being emotional when it happened (I am usually not a very emotional guy)… 

What is your greatest fear?

Again, a very difficult question… But I’d say having regrets ranks among the most prominent issues I face, compounded by the loss of my sense of purpose. Waking up one day and not knowing what drives me anymore. This is precisely why I have never truly contemplated quitting gymnastics, as it has significantly shaped my identity for a substantial portion of my life. 

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I’ve got a bunch of not-so-great traits because I’m extremely far from being perfect. I would say I can be quite self-centered from time to time, pouring all my energy into my sport and finding it tough to leave space for anything else in my life. 

Which talent would you most like to have?

I’d say that I would like to know how play a musical instrument, as I recognize that many individuals possess such talent, which I deeply admire 🙂

What is it that you most dislike?

Dishonesty and people who lack accountability and discipline ( like a lot )…

What would you do if you won 100 million dollars?

I’d invest a big part of it, take care of my family, and create opportunities to grow gymnastics in Canada. I would certainly continue to attend the gym every day, ha ha…

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Realizing at a young age that I could do and achieve anything in this world

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Losing all and any purpose.

What is your greatest regret?

I try not to dwell on regrets, but maybe not giving myself more grace in tough moments, instead of always expecting more.

How would you like to die?

Strange question ha ha, I am not someone who is afraid of death, so I don’t necessarily mind the circumstances. But dying old with the feeling of fulfillment around people I love sounds great. 🙂

Check the podcast of Canada MAG’s Team: The.Rise.Podcast

International Medal Record

National Medal Record

More:
Félix Dolci’s Team Canada Profile
Interview with William Emard
Interview with Donnell Whittenburg
Interview with Eddie Penev
All gymnasts interviews