Lascelles Brown and Pierre Lueders (CP)

PIERRE LUEDERS SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS TWO-MAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE ON HOME TRACK IN CALGARY.

(CODA Release) Calgary-Canada's Pierre Lueders added another chapter to his storybook career on Saturday when he claimed his second consecutive two-man world bobsleigh title at the 2005 Konica Minolta FIBT World Championships, presented by Visa, in Calgary.

The 34-year-old Edmonton native, who led the elite field into the final two heats on Sunday, all but locked up the gold medal with teammate Lascellas Brown after a perfect third run on a track he's slid down more than 1,000 times in his Canada 1 sled. The twosome slid onto the top step of the podium after finishing the four-run competition with a time of three minutes 39.38 seconds under snowy and slow conditions, which plagued the Olympic Track in Calgary.

"It took me 14 years to win my first title and that was very special last year, but to win at home in front of my family and friends, and so many other people that have supported me throughout my career, I don't think there is anything better," said the legendary Canadian bobsleigh pilot, who has racked up 63 World Cup medals in his 15-year career. "I wanted to put some pressure on the field today, and after the third heat I knew I'd just have to get to the bottom. The final run wasn't pretty, but we got the job done."

The victory capped off an incredible two-man season for Lueders and Brown. The Canadian duo claimed six World Cup medals in seven events, and made three more trips to the podium in the four-man competition. "I am so happy for Lascellas who is a rookie in our program this year after joining us from the Jamaican team," said Lueders. "In just a year he has won nearly everything there is to win in the sport, and I wouldn't be standing on the top of the podium today without him."

Joining the Canadians in the winners circle was Andre Lange and Kevin Kuske of Germany, who claimed the silver medal with a time of 3:39.52, while the Overall World Cup leader in the two-man discipline, Martin Annen and his brakeman Beat Hefti of Switzerland, rounded out the top-three with a time of 3:39.70.

Canada's Jayson Krause of Okotoks, Alta. joined up with Florian Linder of Morrin, Alta. to fill the Canada 2 sled. The Canadian youngsters battled back injuries all week to post a respectable 11th-place result with a combined time of 3:41.12.

Lueders and Brown will look to make one more trip to the international podium before parking their sled for the summer when they join teammates Morgen Alexander and Ken Kotyk in the World Championship four-man event next weekend.

Jeff Pain and his wife Ally (CP)

Jeff Pain claims gold at Skeleton world championships, in record-setting fashion; Duff Gibson and Michelle Kelly blaze way to bronze.

(CODA Release) Calgary-Canada's skeleton athletes took home a bag full of medals on their home track at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary on Monday as part of the 2005 Konica Minolta World Skeleton Championships, presented by Visa.

Jeff Pain of Calgary won his second world championship title in skeleton, while his teammate Duff Gibson, also of Calgary, joined him in third spot on the men's podium. Michelle Kelly of Grande Prairie, Alta. continued the medal haul on Monday for Canada, capturing a bronze medal in the women's event.

Canada's Pain was unstoppable at the World Championships. The 34-year-old set a track record in his opening run at 56.08 seconds on Sunday, and then shattered that mark in his first of the two final heats on Monday at 55.72. Pain finished with a four-run combined time of three minutes 44.52 seconds.

"This is the most satisfying result of my career," said Pain, who also won the 2003 World Championship title, and claimed a silver medal at the event in 2001. "To put it all together here on my home track with my family watching is just awesome. It was a very special (third) run. Thanks to the track crew because you don't get a record like that without amazing ice."

Pain's golden slide on Monday capped off a remarkable season on the World Cup campaign. A landscape architect by trade, Pain also captured the Overall World Cup title last week after finishing on the podium five times in seven events this year.

"To be good all year is an amazingly difficult thing to do. I now know what works for me, and physically, I'm looking forward to recovering and getting ready for next year," said the world champion immediately following his race under brilliant sunny skies in Calgary.

Joining Pain on the podium was Switzerland's Gregor Staehli, who slid into the silver medal position after posting a combined time of 3:45.32. Calgary firefighter Duff Gibson, who was the 2004 world champion, settled for the bronze medal with a time of 3:45.82.

"First is more fun. I can tell you that from last year, but when the people ahead of me consistently beat me in four runs, they deserve to win," said the 38-year-old Gibson, who also finished in third in the Overall World Cup standings this year. "This puts me in a fantastic position leading into next year, and I have to continue to progress physically before we head closer to the Olympics."

Canada's Michelle Kelly, who experienced her most dismal season as a skeleton athlete, claimed her first podium finish of the 2004-05 campaign, winning the bronze medal in the women's race in front of dozens of boisterous family and friends who made the trek to Calgary from Grand Prairie, Alta. Kelly, who was the 2003 world champion and Overall World Cup leader, finished the race with a four-run total of 3:53.18.

"I had a rather tough season with injuries and family issues, so I decided I had nothing to lose coming out, and I just went as hard as I could," said the 30-year-old Kelly, whose stepfather passed away after Christmas. "This shows me that I can compete with the best in the world, be the best in the world, and I will use this as a building block for next year."

Switzerland's Maya Pedersen sizzled her way down the lighting fast Calgary track to finish on top of the world with a combined time of 3:52.42. Pedersen beat the Overall World Cup leader, Noelle Pikus-Pace of the United States, by .10 of a second. Pikus-Pace slid into the silver medal position with a time of 3:52.52.

Two other Canadians sped their way into the top-10 at the World Championships in Calgary. Last year's Overall World Cup title holder, Lindsay Alcock of Calgary, rebounded from a disappointing opening run which nearly saw her flip her sled coming out of the challenging Kreisel corner, to finish the competition in sixth place with a time of 3:53.86. Mellisa Hollingsworth of Eckville, Alta. slid into 10th spot on the women's side at 3:55.60.
Calgary's Kelly Forbes, who joined the Canadian team halfway through the World Cup season, blazed down the track into 11th spot in his first men's world championship event at 3:48.01. Paul Boehm of Calgary, who was focused on the podium sitting in fifth spot after the first heat, slipped on the ice during his start on the second run, and finished in 25th (2:55.61 did not race fourth heat).

The World Championships continue on Friday when the women hit the starthouse in two-man bobsleigh. The event wraps up next Sunday with the men's four-man bobsleigh event.

Francois Bourque (CP)

Canada's Bourque claims super-G bronze.

(CBC Sports) Canadian Francois Bourque earned his first career World Cup medal with a third-place finish Sunday at a men's super-G in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
Bourque is the first Canadian man to step onto a World Cup super-G podium since Felix Belczyk won a 1988 race in Leukerbad, Switzerland.

It was a surprise result for Bourque, who had never finished in the top 10 of a World Cup event. "When I joined the Canadian World Cup team, super-G was my worst discipline," said Bouque, who hails from New Richmond, Que. "I guess now it's my best."

Austrian Christoph Gruber won the event in one minute 18.18 seconds, one-hundredth of a second ahead of Swiss skier Didier Defago. Bourque crossed the finish line in 1:18.22 for the bronze medal. "When it became clear that I was on the podium, I didn't really realize it," Bourque said. "It was only when [teammate] Erik [Guay] and the others who started bashing me on the back saying, 'Yeah, Frank, a podium, a podium.' Maybe it will sink in later."

Guay of Mont Tremblant, Que., finished 11th in 1:18.76. Other Canadians included Calgary's John Kucera in 34th, Manuel Osborne-Paradis of Invermere, B.C., in 37th and Jeff Hume of Whistler, B.C., in 40th. David Anderson of Rossland, B.C., did not finish.

Gruber's victory tasted that much sweeter after the Austrian skier failed to make his country's downhill squad at the world championships earlier this month. "After the worlds, I really tried to race hard and make up for my poor performance," Gruber said.
World super-G and downhill champion Bode Miller of the United States finished 0.21 seconds off the pace in fourth.

Miller leads the super-G season standings with 375 points, one point ahead of Austrian star Hermann Maier. "It's just one point," Miller said. "It doesn't mean that much. There are a couple of races left and it will probably go down to the wire. And Hermann Maier is skiing well."

Austrian Michael Walchhofer, who won the downhill races Friday and Saturday, was fifth in 1:18.40. There are only two more men's World Cup super-G races this season – one in Kvitfjell, Norway, and one at the World Cup finals in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.
with files from Canadian Press

Sara Renner (CP)

Sara Renner wins cross-country world championship bronze.

(CODA Release) Oberstdorf, GER-It took eight years of hard work, countless hours of training, and the patience of a lion waiting to pounce on its prey, but Canada's Sara Renner finally had her breakthrough performance on Tuesday, winning a bronze medal in the sprint event at the Nordic World Ski Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany.

Wearing a newly-designed speed suit that is commonly used by speedskaters, the Canmore, Alta. native claimed her first international medal on the world's elite cross-country ski circuit after coming from behind in the sprint final to finish third in front of more than 16,000 screaming fans that lined the one kilometre loop in Germany.

"I was standing in the final heat of four as the dark horse with nothing to lose," said Renner, who has enjoyed one of her best seasons ever on the World Cup with numerous top-10 finishes. "I really enjoyed it and had so much fun out there. It was a blast, and I was jubilant when I looked to see my name really was in third on the scoreboard."

Renner qualified for the round of 16 heats in 12th spot. The heats consist of four athletes in each race racing simultaneously, with the top-two athletes crossing the line first moving onto the next round. The 28-year-old Canuck, who had little trouble skiing her way into the final group, was in fourth throughout the final heat until she blasted her way into third on the stretch drive home, nearly missing a silver medal.

"Thomas (Grandi) was here so I knew I had to ski the downhill part of the course really well," laughed Renner of her husband, who has emerged this year as the new leader of the Canadian Alpine Ski Team. Grandi is also enjoying a breakthrough season having won two World Cup gold medals in December. "I came from behind all day today, and did in the final as well. I was fourth all the way through, but I knew my skis were really fast, I realized I was better at double poling than I thought, and I reeled them in at the finish."

Renner, who has often been caught in the shadows of Beckie Scott's Olympic gold medal success, now solidifies a strong one-two Canadian punch for the national squad heading into the Olympic year.

"Beckie and I could have both been on the podium together today," said Renner who added her result would help raise the bar for the entire program. "Beckie has been a trailblazer for me, and an inspiration with everything she does. I have learned so much from her and this is going to make our team that much stronger."

Scott was in position to join her teammate, and World Cup comrade, on the podium. The Vermilion, Alta. native qualified for the heats in fifth spot, but was eliminated in the opening round, and settled for 13th.

In addition to Renner's medal-wining performance, it was a remarkable day for the entire Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team - one of the youngest teams in the world. Canada had five of its six athletes in the top-25, including three top-15 finishes. World Cup 22-year-old rookie, Devon Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont., also qualified for the final heats for the first time in his young career in men's action, and finished 14th. Other Canadian results included: George Grey of Rossland, B.C. in 19th; while Drew Goldsack of Red Deer, Alta. was 21st; and Gord Jewett of Toronto was 37th in the men's race. Milaine Theriault of St. Quentin, N.B. was the only other Canadian woman to suit up, and finished 22nd.

"This is definitely an encouraging performance, especially for the young guys like Devon and Drew, and it is great to see we are in the game. I hope we can build on it," said Dave Wood, head coach, Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team. "I think we had good preparation heading into this event, good skis, and our team is willing to come back and fight each race. I am happy for the entire group and it is awesome to see Sara finally get on the podium."

Renner was joined on the podium by two Swedish skiers. Emelie Oehrstig was the fastest woman all day, having led the qualifier, and claimed the gold medal in the heats. Oehrstig's teammate, Lina Andersson took home the silver medal.

On the men's side of the draw it was Russia's Vassili Rotchev who becomes the king of the Nordic sprint after winning the gold medal in a race to the wire. Norway's Tor Arne Hetland finished second, while Sweden's Thobias Fredriksson was third.

Denny Morrison (CP)

Canada wins silver medal in men’s pursuit at world junior speed skating championships.

SEINAJOKI, Finland- Canada won the silver medal in the men’s 3,200-metre pursuit race Sunday at the world junior long track speed skating championships while Denny Morrison of Fort St. John, B.C., placed fourth overall.

The Netherlands won the gold medal in the men’s pursuit in 4:03.65 to withstand a strong challenge from the Canadians who clocked 4:04.82. The Canadian skaters were Morrison, Justin Warsylewicz of Regina and Francois-Olivier Roberge of St-Nicolas, Que. The U.S., was third in 4:07.91. The pursuit makes its Olympic debut next year.

‘’It was a good race for us, we communicated well,’’ said Morrison. ‘’We were a second faster than the Dutch on the last lap so we should have started out stronger. We felt we had a good chance to win and we nearly did it.’’

Sven Kramer of the Netherlands, a bronze medallist at the senior worlds two weeks ago, captured gold in the 5,000 final to win the overall title with 156.587 races. He won three of the four races this weekend. Morrison placed seventh in Sunday’s 5,000 for fourth overall at 158.734, his same placing as last year.

Warsylewicz, the overall champion last year, was fourth in the 5,000 for sixth overall and Roberge was 15th in the 5,000 for 10th. ‘’This was a much stronger field than last year, some say it was the strongest ever at a world juniors so overall I’m pleased,’’ said Morrison, the gold medallist in the 500 on Friday and second in the 1,500 on Saturday. ‘’The 5,000 is not my best event and I started the race too quickly today. The last lap hit me hard.’’

Warsylewicz missed the first half of the season when he was diagnosed with a heart irregularity which required surgeries on November 17 and December 8 in which a catheter was wired into his heart.

‘’I came here to win and I find my overall finish a hard pill to swallow,’’ said Warsylewicz, 19. ‘’It’s true I’ve had a tough year but I expected big things and when it doesn’t happen I’m disappointed. It wasn’t in the cards for me this year. The bright point for me is I had four solid races this weekend. I couldn’t blame my overall placing one really bad performance.’’

In women’s competition, Irene Wust of the Netherlands won the overall title. Justine L’Heureux of St-Tite, Que., was 17th in the 3,000 and placed 16th overall. Kirsti Lay of Medicine Hat, Alta., was 29th overall and Kelsey Duffield of Red Deer, Alta., 30th.

Canada was seventh in the women’s pursuit, also won by the Netherlands.

In women’s competition, Justine L’Heureux of St-Tite, Que., was 25th in the 1,000 and 23rd in the 1,500 to stand 20th overall , Kirsti Lay of Medicine Hat, Alta., was 29th in the 1,000 and 31st in the 1,500 for 28th and Kelsey Duffield of Red Deer, Alta., 31st in the 1,000 and 29th in the 1,500 for 29th.

Regan Lauscher (CP)

CANADA'S REGAN LAUSCHER SLIDES INTO NINTH AT LUGE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Park City, Utah-Canada's Regan Lauscher blazed down the Park City track with lightening quick speed to finish in the top-10 at the 2005 Luge World Championships in Utah on Friday night.

The 24-year-old veteran of the Canadian team shattered last season's world championship result of 14th place when she slid into ninth position with a two-run combined time of one minute 28.955 seconds. "Even though I had a personal best world championship result, I was really looking for a top-eight finish," said Lauscher, who finished eighth in overall World Cup points this 2004-05 season. "I had a lot of expectations coming into this race and it is disappointing to finish just out of where I wanted to be."

Overall, the 2002 Olympian from Red Deer, Alta., has experienced an extremely successful campaign during this pre-Olympic season, taking home her first silver medal and earning Canada's best-ever luge result at a World Cup in Lake Placid, this past December. "I have experienced a great year and am quite happy with my performance, " said Lauscher. "I am definitely learning how to race under pressure, which is invaluable heading into next year."

Germany dominated the podium in the women's event, with Sylke Otto leading her teammates to capture the top spot. Barbara Niedernhuber slid down the track into secondwhile Anke Wischnewski followed in third.

Calgary's Meaghan Simister was the next best Canadian in Friday night's race. The 18-year-old slid into 22nd place. Madison Dupuis, 17, finished in 28th spot while 17-year-old Alex Gough, who finished in fifth on the junior World Cup circuit, ended the race in 30th position.

Canada's Grant Albrecht and Eric Pothier narrowly missed a top-10 finish, as they flew down the track into 11th spot. Albrecht, of Red Deer, Alta., and Pothier, of Airdrie, Alta., who finished eighth in overall World Cup points, were looking for a top-10 result heading into tonight's event. "I'm pretty disappointed that we fell out of the top-10," said Pothier, who, along with Albrecht, finished eighth in overall World Cup points. "This is pretty much our second home track and I had thought we had two relatively clean runs, but I guess the speed was just not there."

Germany grabbed the two top spots on Friday, with Andre Florschütz and Torsten Wustlich. Teammate's Patrick Leitner and Alexandre Resch followed close behind to grab the silver medal while Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin of the United States rounded out third. Canada's Gwyn Lewis, 22, and Sam Edney, 18, both of Calgary, finished the race in 17th place.

Canada's Jeff Christie captured his best ever result in men's singles racing on Saurday with a 12th place finish, our country's best ever result in over 20 years in men's singles racing at a championship event.

"I am extremely excited about my performance tonight," said the 22-year-old, who had the second fastest run with a time of 45.324 in his second heat. "Everything went extremely well and I slid through all corners cleanly to have two great runs." Christie, who led the Canadian men on the World Cup campaign this season, jumped four spots from his 16th place finish at last year's world championships in Nagano, Japan.

"I am very happy with the success I've seen this season," said Christie who equaled his best-ever World Cup result on his home track in Calgary last December. "Now it is time to prepare for an Olympic year. I have to put in a hard training session in this summer and go out and race in the winter to be the best prepared as possible."

Italy's Armin Zöggeler stole the spotlight from the German sliders, powering his way into first. Legendary luge great Georg Hackl of Germany was second while teammate David Möller rounded out third.

Jorgen Krause, Didsbury, Alta., was the next best Canuck, sliding into 26th spot. Calgary's Sam Edney, who slid into 17th place in yesterday's doubles event with partner Gwyn Lewis, ended the day in 27th position, while Ian Cockerline, Calgary, finished in 36th.

Jeremy Wotherspoon (CP)

Jeremy Wotherspoon completes World Cup season in golden style.

HEERENVEEN, the Netherlands- Long track speed skater Jeremy Wotherspoon of Red Deer, Alta., put a golden finishing touch on a superb World Cup season Sunday with a victory in the men’s 500-metres which concluded the five stop circuit for the 2004-2005 season. Mark Nielsen of Calgary added a silver medal in the men’s 100-metre dash to finish third overall at the distance.

Wotherspoon was at the top of his game clocking 34.96 seconds, a rare sub 35 second time at the indoor oval and just 0.13 off the track record. Joji Kato of Japan was second in 35.02 and Dmitry Lobkov of Russia third in 35.11. Nielsen was 17th. ‘’A lot of the things I had been doing wrong in recent races went very well today,’’ said Wotherspoon. ‘’Right from the warm-up I knew I was headed for a strong performance. It’s great for the confidence that I can comeback like that after some so-so races recently.’’

Wotherspoon clinched the 500 World Cup title for a fourth straight year on Friday and finishes the season with four wins in 10 races. He also pocketed $14,000 (U.S.) for the crown. In the men’s 100, Fengtong Yu of China won the gold in 9.52 to win the season title followed by Nielsen in 9.71 and Yuya Oikawa of Japan third in 10.05.

‘’I didn’t have my best race,’’ said Nielsen. ‘’The ice was deteriorating at the start line and began to get chippy. That never helps when a key to the race is to stay very relaxed and not overdue it.’’

Sarah Smith of Medicine Hat, Alta., was seventh in the women’s 100.Mark Tuitert led the Netherlands to the top-four placings in the men’s 1,500 while Steven Elm of Red Deer, Alta., was 19th.

On Saturday, Cindy Klassen of Winnipeg captured the women’s 1,500 World Cup title for the second time in three years with a silver medal performance.

In the men’s B group races, Brock Miron of Calgary was eighth in the 500 with James Monson of Winnipeg 13th and Jean-René Bélanger of Sherbrooke, Que., 14th. In the 1,500, Arne Dankers of Calgary was sixth, Jay Morrison of Fort St. John, B.C., ninth, Philippe Marois of Ste-Foy, Que., 10th and Adam McCabe of Cambridge, Ont., 11th.

In the women’s B group races, Krisy Myers of Lloydminster, Sask., was fourth in the 500, Smith was seventh, Danielle Wotherspoon of Red Deer, ninth and Kim Weger of Regina 12th.

The season is not over yet for the long track speed skaters. The Olympic-style world single distance championships are March 3-6 at Inzell, Germany. The Canadians will stay in Europe through the next two weeks.

Steve Omischl (CP)

Omischl and Nissen top the World Cup podium.

SAUZE D'OULX, Italy -- Aerialist Steve Omischl of North Bay, ON, emerged with a World Cup victory in a shoot-out on the 2006 Olympic freestyle ski site Saturday.

Most of the world's top aerialists had stellar scores in the dry run for next year's Olympics, as three Canadians reached the 12-skier final, including Omischl and eventual silver medallist Kyle Nissen of Calgary, AB. "I can't even explain how happy I am," said Omischl, 26, after producing a career-best score of 256.09 points for the win. "I'm just on top of my game, relaxed and calm."

Omischl, who was third after the first round, then moved into the lead with a second, but different, quadruple-twisting triple somersault. "It was anyone's game, but my second jump was by far the best of my life," added Omischl. It’s incredible to put it down on the Olympic site with the best jump I’ve ever performed…I’m about to drink a lot of wine!”

Nissen's lifetime best score, of 253.42, clinched the silver medal just six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair torn meniscus in his right knee. "Yesterday I was little worried before I started jumping. It just felt a little unstable," said Nissen, 25. "I wasn't expecting much, I was just happy to be back," added Nissen after bettering his best-ever score by eight points.

The bronze medal went to Stanislav Kravchuk of Ukraine, while the other Canadian finalists, Cord Spero of Grande Prairie, AB, was ninth. American Jeret Peterson, the runaway leader in the overall World Cup aerials standings, stood fifth, as the top seven scores were separated by only five points heading into the second and final round of Saturday's final. He finished seventh.

Omischl, the defending overall aerials champion, has gathered momentum this season with the lead-up to next month's World Championships. This was his fifth medal of the World Cup season, but his first victory, as he remained second in the overall standings.

In women's aerials, Evelyne Leu of Switzerland won, while Nina Li of China continued her outstanding season atop the overall standings by capturing the silver medal. The bronze medal went to Xinxin Guo of China. Lydia Ierodiaconou of Australia remained on the sidelines after suffering a recent concussion but remains second in the overall standings.

Melissa Prefontaine of Grande Prairie, AB, finished 12th after reaching her third straight final in her best-ever World Cup season. Despite slapping back on her second jump, in the final, Prefontaine, 25, says she just has to calm down in the finals. "I'm seeing the landing hill really well (while flipping in the air), and I'm getting better and better every week," said Prefontaine.
"But I'm getting a little bit too excited," admitted Prefontaine, who carried to much approach speed into her jump in the final.

Amber Peterson of Thunder Bay was 13th, to just miss the cut into the 12-skier final. Canadian veterans Veronika Bauer of Toronto, ON and Deidra Dionne of Red Deer, AB, were 19th and 21st respectively.

Second silver for Brent Hayden at swimming World Cup/ Brittany Reimer wins two gold in Australia

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil- Brent Hayden of Vancouver clocked a personal best time in the men’s 200-metre freestyle on Sunday to win the silver medal at the World Cup final short course swimming competition.

Rick Neethling, a member of South Africa’s Olympic champion relay squad, edged Hayden for the gold clocking 1:45.35 while Hayden finished in 1:45.90. Rodrigo Castro of Brazil was third in 1:46.53.

Hayden led the race up to the final turn before Neethling gained the lead. However Hayden nearly caught the South African on the final 25-metre length. It was a second silver in two days for Hayden. He won silver in the 100 freestyle on Saturday.

‘’It’s the first time I’ve ever gone under 1:46 so I felt I really put it together today,’’ said Hayden, a member of the 2004 Olympic team. ‘’It was technically a very strong race for me. My goal was to improve on my best time which I got last week (at the World Cup in New York). The best part of my race was the first 100 metres.’’

Hayden was the only Canadian at the competition.

Meanwhile in Sydney, Australia, another Olympic team member Brittany Reimer of Surrey, B.C., won the 400 and 800 freestyle races at the New South Wales Open Swimming Championships this weekend.

On Sunday, Reimer, 17, clocked 8:36.44 seconds for gold in the 800 freestyle with Linda MacKenzie of Australia second in 8:40.47 and her compatriot Elka Graham third in 8:45.20.

In the 400 freestyle Saturday, Reimer clocked 4:11.58 with Graham second in 4:13.61 and Kelly Boxwell of Australia third in 4:13.72.

Feds to boost sports budget to $140M: Poor Olympic results prompt increase.

(The Edmonton Journal) OTTAWA - The federal government will boost amateur sports funding to avoid a repeat of the disappointing results at last year's Olympics.

A significant increase in Sport Canada's annual funding -- to a total of $140 million -- will be announced in Wednesday's federal budget.

"There will be more money for athletes," a senior government official confirmed late Monday.

The cash boost will be billed Wednesday as a near-doubling of the federal contribution to amateur sport but in reality is a mix of new funding and money that existed in last year's budget.

There will be $20 million in new money, the source said. The total will also include about $60 million extended from funds that existed previously but had been slated to expire this year.

Sports groups mounted a campaign for extra cash after the woeful showing by Canadian athletes at last year's Summer Olympics in Greece. Canada won only 12 medals.

The pressure has also been ramped up with the approaching 2010 Games to be held in Vancouver. No other host country in the history of the Olympics has ever failed to win a gold medal, but this country has done it twice -- in Montreal in 1976 and Calgary in 1988. The federal government hopes Canada can avoid notching a hat trick in Olympic futility.

The federal minister responsible for sports, Stephen Owen, has cited funding as a determining factor in how successful Canada can be internationally.

"There's no question that you cannot reach the podium in large numbers without a significant investment," Owen said last fall when he announced top-level athletes would see their living stipend increase to $1,500 a month, up by $400.

"There's no question that the very highest performance in the world requires a real investment."

Even IOC president Jacques Rogge recently got in on the act, lobbying Canada to boost its athletics funding in time for the 2010 Games.

"It is important that a host country put strong plans in place to ensure their athletes will achieve podium success at the Olympic Games," he said last month during a visit to Canada.

The Canadian Olympic Committee has set a target of 35 medals for 2010 under its Own the Podium program, which aims to raise $110 million for amateur sport.

The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Organizing Committee has agreed to contribute $55 million toward the plan, and many sports organizations hope Ottawa can come up with the remaining half.