Chantal Peticlerc (CP)

Three gold for Chantal Petitclerc and two gold for Diane Roy at America Series wheelchair racing event.
(Canadian Sport News)

ATLANTA- Chantal Petitclerc of Montreal won three gold medals and two silver while Diane Roy of Sherbrooke, Que., added two more gold for Canada to conclude the Meet in the Heat wheelchair racing track event which also served as the fourth stop on the America Series circuit.

Petitclerc earned victories in the 100, 200 and 400 metre races and was second in the 800 and 1,500. In the 400 she clocked 53.26 seconds, her second fastest
ever time and less than two seconds off her world mark of 51.91 set last year at the Paralympic Games in Athens where she won five gold.

“This is only my second track event this year so I’m very pleased,” said Petitclerc, the only entry to compete in all five finals on Saturday. “I went in with the mentality I could win all five gold. But I’m most pleased with my 400. It was my last event and I was feeling pretty tired at that point.”

Roy clocked the second fastest time ever in the 800-metre for the victory in 1:48.07. Petitclerc who broke the world record in the distance in Friday’s semifinal at 1:47.50, was second in 1:48.40.

“That’s a bit of a surprise for me because the 800 is not my best race,” said Roy, who also won the 1,500 and was second in the 400. “But I had a solid race
plan tonight and decided to make my move on the last lap.”

Daniel Normandin of Montreal added a victory in the 100-metre race and Dean Bergeron of Quebec City earned a second gold placing first in the 200 for quadriplegics just ahead of Andre Beaudoin of Montreal who took the silver.“This is my first big international victory so I’m thrilled,” said Normandin. “What helps me the most is my start and my confidence.”

Jeff Adams of Toronto also had solid day with bronze medal performances in the 200 and 400-metre races.

The final event in the America Series is Peachtree Road Race, a 10-kilometre race in Atlanta on Monday.

Cora Campbell (CP)

Canada beats Germany in shootout in women’s World League water polo.
(Water Polo Release)

LA JOLLA, California- Krystina Alogbo of Montreal scored the winning goal and Rachel Riddell of Vancouver made three saves in the shootout as Canada defeated Germany 11-10 on Sunday to conclude the first round in the $225,000 World League women’s water polo tournament.

The Canadians, also preparing for the 2005 World Aquatic Championships July 16-31 in Montreal, complete the first round with four wins and one loss.

In Sunday’s game, Canada and Germany were tied 5-5 after regulation. The teams were also tied after their first five attempts in the shootout scoring three times apiece. Alogbo scored on Canada’s eighth attempt then Riddell stopped the German shooter to end the game. Valerie Dionne and Johanne Begin, both of Ste-Foy, Que., scored twice in the shootout with Ann Dow of Montreal notching the other. In a World League water polo shootout, the shooter fires from five metres out.

“The pressure is always on the shooter because the goalie isn’t expected to make the save,” said Riddell, who stopped the Germans on their second, fifth and eighth attempts in the shootout. “I was able to make a couple a good guesses. But I enjoy the pressure of the moment.”

It was the second time in the tournament Canada won in a shootout. On Friday they defeated Olympic silver medallists Greece 11-10 again with Riddell in goal. Canada also posted victories over Brazil and Australia. Their only loss was to the U.S., on Saturday.

In regulation time Sunday, Alogbo, Dow, Dionne and Melissa Collins and Christine Robinson, both of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que., scored for Canada. Whynter Lamarre of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, was the Canadian goalie in regulation play.

“It was a lot closer than we expected tonight,” said Canadian assistant coach Jon Clarke of Montreal. “ We were really feeling the fatigue from playing two games on Saturday. But this is a good start for us and it was nice to see us come through in some high pressure situations.”

In other games Sunday, Greece defeated the U.S., 7-5 and Australia hammered Brazil 8-0. The standings in Group A after the first round has the Americans (four wins, one loss, no shootout wins) first with 12 points. Canada (4-1-2), Australia (3-2-0) and Greece (3-2-0) are at 11 points each but based on tie breaking procedure Canada gets second, Australia third and Greece fourth while Brazil is 1-4 and Germany 0-5.

Cora Campbell of Calgary was named the tournament MVP and Riddell was named the top goaltender.

The group B tournament concluded Sunday as well in Kirichi, Russia.

The second round in World League play is July 6-10 in New York for Group A and Gubbio, Italy for Group B. The top four teams from each group qualify for the Super Final August 18-21 in Kirichi.

Barney Williams and Team (CP)

Canadian Results from the Henley Royal Regatta.
(Rowing Canada Release)

Canadian crews failed to pick up one of Henley's coveted trophies at the prestigious British regatta today.

In a much-anticipated race, the Leander Club and Oxford University boat beat Victoria City Rowing Club's entry in 6.57. The Canadians - Cam Baerg of Saskatoon, Sask., Kyle Hamilton of Richmond, B.C., Ben Rutledge of Cranbrook, B.C. and Kevin Light of Sidney, B.C. - were in contention until they hit a boom and weren't able to catch up to the British crew.

The Stewards' Cup men’s four winning boat consisted of British National Team rowers Steve Williams, Peter Reed, Andy Triggs-Hodge and Alex Partridge.

In the Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup event, Olympic bronze medallists Ramon Di Clementé and Donovan Cech of South Africa beat Scott Frandsen of Kelowna, B.C. and Barney Williams of Salt Spring Island, B.C. by four boat lengths 7.41.

"We had some good races leading up to today," said Williams, who also stroked the Oxford University eight that lost to the Germans at Henley. "But perhaps it was too much for us. We were a little flat off the line and you can't do that against crews such as the South Africans. We're a little frustrated, but excited about getting back to international racing in Lucerne next week."

Williams and Frandsen have been training in England. “We are looking forward spending some time training with Mike (Spracklen, men’s coach) and racing in Lucerne,” said Williams. “That’s where we will get the real opportunity to test our speed.”

In other racing today, heavyweight women's Olympic medallist Rumyana Neykova of Bulgaria took the Princess Royal Cup over Niagara-on-the-Lake's Fiona Milne (Melbourne University, Australia), who rowed for Canada as a lightweight, by two and three-quarter lengths in 8.52.

The Canadian men will now meet up with the rest of the National Team in Lucerne, Switzerland to prepare for the World Cup, which begins on July 8.

Catriona Le May Doan (CP Photo)

Canada's future champions find inspiration in the Oval.
(The Calgary Herald - Catriona Le May Doan)

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the seventh in a series of centennial essays by celebrated Albertans that traces our history and explains how it has made us who we are today.

Very few cities are given the honour to be the Olympic host community. The chosen few face many challenges as they open their arms to the world.

In exchange for taking this risk, they make it possible for the power of sport to inspire their citizens. They enable those who dare to represent them and they allow faithful fans to find their homegrown heroes.

As Alberta celebrates its centennial, the province should also celebrate the legacy which sport has provided in recent times. Calgary has fostered champions, inspired youth and proven the value of the Olympic Games. It has also given a wonderful meaning to the legacy the Games can create.

Calgary hosted the world during the XV Winter Olympic Games. The Games have been over for 17 years now and yet Calgary is still known as the city of record when it comes to winter sport in Canada. It is the legacy of the Calgary Olympics in 1988 which makes all of this a reality.

It is obvious the Calgary Olympic Oval is the legacy which has had the biggest impact on me. Without the Oval, I could not have enjoyed the success that I have had in my career.

I remember a trip to Calgary with my mom in 1987. We found ourselves on the third level of this magnificent building when they were installing the ice. I can recall being so excited at the prospect of training at this new facility -- the first covered oval in North America.

I spent 15 years on the national team -- all of them in Calgary. I travelled the world and raced in exotic places such as Kazakhstan, Korea, Finland and Italy. But there was never anything more rewarding than coming home and being back on the fastest ice in the world.

The Olympic Oval is a special place. It has a remarkable energy -- a life, and anyone who has ever spent time there finds it also has a magnetic attraction.

While skaters may leave for a while, they always have the urge to come back. In speed skating, you spend six days a week, 11 months of the year training. You can only imagine how many left turns I made on the Oval! The amazing thing is that while we were on the Oval, skating, the track athletes were doing sprints on the running surface, the short-track speed skaters circled the ice surface in the middle, and the female hockey players were practising on the adjoining rink. The Oval is very much like a carnival of sport with so much happening all at once.

My dream was always to wear the Maple Leaf at the Olympic Games and to one day stand on the top step of the podium with a gold medal around my neck.

It takes more than physical training to get there. I had so much help from my team with things like testing to make sure my training was on target, massage therapy to help my aching muscles, sport psychology when I was thinking too much, and expert nutritional advice to remind me to stay away from the chips (even when I really, really wanted them).

I got all of that help from the Oval and the people who made it come alive for me. I spent so much time there I married the guy who was driving the Zamboni. That's how much the Oval has meant to my life.

Speed-skating competitions became synonymous with world records. The expertise required to manufacture the best ice in light of changing weather conditions as well as the ability to stage flawless events meant that every time we raced, it was possible that world records could fall.

I am so proud that my world record in the 500 metres -- 37.22 seconds -- is still held on the ice at the Olympic Oval.

The legacy of the Oval is not just for speed skaters to enjoy. I love to be there during public skating time to watch families of all ages come together on the ice.

Some of those families have rented speed skates, trying them for the first time. You can always tell when it is someone's first time on the Oval -- they stare in awe at the sheer size of the building, knowing they are skating on the same ice where Olympic champions have made their mark and where champions of the future will push the limits of speed and endurance.

There is no better feeling than entering the Oval during a world cup or world championship. Canadian flags are waved with pride, fans' faces are painted with vivid colours and match the excited expressions of young kids in the stands.

These youngsters are the champions of the future. They are inspired by watching the athletes compete and many of them hope one day to be able to wear the Maple Leaf and to be cheered on by the crowd.

But, Calgary's legacy from the 1988 Olympics goes well beyond the speed-skating Oval. The sliding track at Canada Olympic Park, for example, is home to bobsled, luge and skeleton.

The success of Canadian athletes in all three of these sports is obvious. Pierre Lueders, Lindsay Alcock and Jeff Pain have all made remarkable headway on the world stage. They have been able to stand on the podium for Canada as a direct result of training on the facility that was built for the 1988 Games.

From almost anywhere in Calgary, you can see the ski jump facility. This is one venue whose legacy remains unclear. While the Oval and sliding track have produced champions at an astounding rate, the ski jump in-runs have seen a period of decline.

The sport has struggled in Canada, but it's heartening to note the jumps are still operational and recently young athletes are emerging to compete on the international scene. This, however, is occurring in spite of jumps that have been somewhat neglected and a sport which is dominated by countries like Finland and Japan.

Legacies are much more than facilities. A legacy is found in inspiring kids -- showing them dreams can come true.

A legacy is providing the example that respect, fair play and fun can cause people to do exceptional things. Calgary has done great things. Calgary has become a sporting city. We live in a city that is active, healthy and celebrates high-performance sport. We live in a city that inspires the rest of the country.

As Alberta celebrates its 100th year, it is important that we, as its citizens, take special note of the names, the events and the heroes that have passed before us.

It is essential we continue to draw on the inspiration that will surely come in the years ahead. We are fortunate to live in a city, a province and a country full of young athletes who will dare to wear the Maple Leaf in less than one year at the Olympic Games in Turin, Italy.

Some of them will bring home medals for all of us to celebrate. They will deliver the inspiration that may become the legacy to the next generation of Canadians -- a generation that dreams of accomplishing extraordinary things.

Olympic gold medaLlist Catriona Le May Doan was Canadian Athlete of the Year in 2002. She retired in 2003 and lives in Calgary.

Favourites and longshots arrive to fine-tune Olympic 2012 bids
By JOHN PYE

SINGAPORE (AP) - At opposite ends of the 2012 Olympic Games bidding spectrum, Paris and Moscow delegates arrived in Singapore on Wednesday reiterating a common theme: there are no certainties in IOC voting.

Paris has been the front-runner in the PR campaign leading up to the July 6 vote by the International Olympic Committee to determine which city will host the 2012 Summer Games. Moscow is the longshot, considered by many to be ranked fifth among a glamorous assembly of candidate cities that also includes London, Madrid and New York.

Betting agencies are listing Paris as the hot favourite, with British bookmaker Ladbrokes listing the French capital at 2-9, following by London at 7-2, Madrid at 12-1, New York 25-1 and Moscow at 50-1.

Among the websites that have sprung up dedicated to the bidding process, gamesbid.com has compiled a stock market-like index that has Paris and London in front and their respective prospects improving.

Paris bid leader Philippe Baudillon chose a packed arrival hall at Singapore's Changi Airport over a planned news conference in a French-themed cafe as a forum to play down the odds. "We are five competitors. We are five cities which are great cities. On July 6, it will be up to the IOC to decide which city is the best partner up to 2012," he said. "We are not the favourite," he continued. "We want to be the best proposition for the Olympic movement . . . this is my job."
On the other hand, there's no doubt Baudillon is making long-term plans for Paris. "We come here for winning," he said.

Baudillon said he'll spend the coming days fine-tuning the presentation and doing some last-minute lobbying "to explain why Paris is the best choice for 2012." French President Jacques Chirac will arrive on July 5 to bolster the bid.

But unlike London and Madrid, which are drafting in soccer stars David Beckham and Raul for celebrity endorsements, and New York, which has the heavyweight backing of Muhammad Ali, Baudillon is advocating a team approach. "We have a lot of athletes with us. It's a team, a team of people, not only one celebrity," he said. "It's the way we're running the bid."

Paris last hosted the Olympics in 1924 and lost bids for both the 1992 and 2008 Summer Games, so Baudillon is cautious. The failed bids mean "we've been learning very much," he said. "We've been learning about the needs of the Olympic movement and also perhaps we have the best commitment you can dream about."

Dmitry Svatkovsky, modern pentathlon champion at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, is the vice executive director of the Moscow bid.

He was greeted with a traditional Russian welcome of bread that is broken and shared between hosts and visitors. Russia hosted the boycott-tainted Games in 1980 and Svatkovsky thinks the Moscow deserves another chance, this time to showcase "New Russia, new city." "We're proud of our concept - it was created by athletes and for athletes," he said.

While bookmakers had Moscow listed as the longshot, Svatkovsky said he didn't think that was a disadvantage for the bid.

IOC president "Jacques Rogge says all five cities are on the same level - all are very high standard - and just the IOC session will decide who will be first. We'll see."

U.S. committee approves anti-doping legislation for professional sports.
(National Post)

A U.S. House of Representatives committee approved a measure that would force professional sports leagues to suspend players for at least half a season for using steroids and other banned drugs. The legislation would require athletes to be tested at least five times a year. It would apply to Major League Baseball, the NFL, the NBA, the NHL, Major League Soccer and the Arena Football League. The measure originally called for a two-year suspension for a first offence, the same as the Olympic penalty. But at the urging of league representatives, the measure now calls for a half-season suspension for a first offence, a full season for a second offence and permanent suspension for a third violation. A league that failed to follow the standard could be fine US$5-million for a first offence and US$1-million for every day of non- compliance thereafter.

THIRTY SIX PLAYERS INVITED TO ATTEND CANADA'S MEN’S OLYMPIC ORIENTATION CAMP

CALGARY, ALBERTA – Hockey Canada announced on Thursday the thirty six Canadian National Hockey League players that have been invited to attend Canada's Men’s Olympic Orientation Camp that will run from August 15-20, 2005 in Vancouver and Kelowna, BC. All 36 players were under NHL contracts for the 2003-04 season.

The orientation session will consist of providing the players with detailed information regarding the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, including a review of: Olympic preparations, tournament schedule and format, travel and lodging, doping policies, coaching philosophies, apparel and equipment fitting, and daily on ice sessions.

The thirty six players were selected by Team Canada's Executive Director, Wayne Gretzky, Assistant Executive Director, Kevin Lowe, Director of Player Personnel, Steve Tambellini, and Director of Player Development, Blair MacKasey in conjunction with the coaching staff. Team Canada’s management and coaching staff will oversee the camp which will start in Vancouver, BC on August 15 and then move to Kelowna, BC for four days concluding on August 20.

Team Canada’s coaching staff will remain the same as the 2002 Olympics and 2004 World Cup of Hockey with the addition of National Team Head Coach Marc Habscheid. Head Coach Pat Quinn (Toronto Maple Leafs) will be assisted by associate coaches Ken Hitchcock (Philadelphia Flyers), Jacques Martin (Florida Panthers), Wayne Fleming (Philadelphia Flyers), and Marc Habscheid (National Men’s Team).

“As a coaching staff, we are excited about the opportunity to work with such a great group of athletes again,” stated Head Coach, Pat Quinn. “The commitment these players make to represent their country is second to none and that is why Canada has continued to be in the upper echelon of International hockey.”

Of the thirty six players invited to the Orientation Camp, 19 players took home silver at the 2005 IIHF World Championship, 26 players won the 2004 World Cup of Hockey with Canada, and 14 players were Olympic gold medalists in 2002 in Salt Lake City.

"Our management and coaching staff feel that this is a perfect opportunity to bring the players together and start focusing on the upcoming Olympics in Torino,” said Executive Director, Wayne Gretzky. “We are very pleased with the depth we have in this country, and there are players outside this group of 36 that we will continue to evaluate as we get closer to the Olympics in February before any final decisions are made.”

The full orientation session schedule and further details regarding access to the practice sessions will be released in the near future.

For more information on Canada’s Men’s National Team, please visit the official web site at www.hockeycanada.ca

Beckie Scott (CCC)

Becky Scott, Saku Koivu vying for IOC spot.
(CBC Sports)

Canadian cross-country skier Becky Scott and Montreal Canadiens forward Saku Koivu are competing against each other and several other top athletes for two places on the International Olympic Committee's Athletes Commission.

In total, 15 nominated Olympians are vying for the two spots that will open up next year.

The election is scheduled to take place during the 2006 Torino Olympics in Italy.
Scott, native of Vermilion, Alta., won a gold medal at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.

The other nominees are Croatian skier Janica Kostelic of Croatia; freestyle skier Jacqui Cooper of Australia; lugers Ruben Gonzalez of Argentina, Georg Hackl of Germany and Mark Hatton of Britain; bobsledder Kwang-Bae Kang of Korea; cross-country skier Jaak Mae of Estonia; biathlete Corinne Niogret of France; nordic combined competitor Kenji Ogiwara of Japan; alpine skier Maria Jose Rienda of Spain; and speed skaters Adne Sondral of Norway, Yang Yang of China, and Pawal Zygmunt of Poland.

The advisory commission is comprised of 19 members, and is chaired by pole-vaulter Sergei Bubka of Ukraine.

The Canadian Sport Centre Calgary (CSCC) strives to provide athletes with a physical, psychological and competitive edge. To accomplish this goal the CSCC provides a variety of programs and services for the high-performance athlete. One such service is in the area of physiological testing and monitoring which the Exercise Physiology Laboratory at the University of Calgary provides to over 200 high performance athletes every year.

The CSCC is currently seeking an Exercise Physiologist for a full-time contract position (September-March) with annual renewal. This position will report to the manager of the Exercise Physiology Lab (University of Calgary) and the Director of Sport Science at the CSCC. The position requires a flexible schedule with potential weekend work and travel.

As an exercise physiologist, your primary purpose will be to monitor training and conduct physiological assessments with a number of winter sport teams. You will work closely with and be mentored by the Director of Sport Science. You will be required to implement and conduct research in the area of applied of exercise physiology. Maintenance and operation of equipment including but not limited to metabolic measurement carts, mass spectrometer, treadmills, cycle ergometers are various biochemical analyzers is also required. We are seeking an energetic individual who is interested in working with elite athletes who has excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal and organizational skills.

Qualifications/Expertise:
· A graduate degree in Physical Education/Kinesiology with a specialty in exercise science is preferable.
· Experience in the field of applied exercise physiology
· Experience conducting physiological testing protocols (maximal and submaximal), and operation of physiological testing equipment.
· Research project management experience desired
· Professional and Fitness Lifestyle Consultant (PFLC) required
· Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint)
· Strong interpersonal communication skills are required (verbal and written)
· Must be able to work well with others in a team setting, communicate, organize, problem solve and multitask.
· Ability to work under pressure with time constraints
· Self-motivated, resourceful and capable of making decisions within established guidelines.

Salary: Equivalent with qualifications and experience.

Note: this position is full-time position (limited term) commencing September 1st 2005.

2) Job Opportunity
Canadian Sport Centre-Calgary

The Canadian Sport Center- Calgary (CSCC) strives to provide athletes with a physical, psychological and competitive edge. To accomplish this goal the CSCC provides a variety of programs and services for the high-performance athlete. One such service is in the area of physiological testing and monitoring which the Exercise Physiology Laboratory at the University of Calgary provides to over 200 high performance athletes every year.

The CSCC is currently seeking an Exercise Physiology Technician for a temporary, full-time position. This position will report to the manager of the Exercise Physiology Lab (University of Calgary) and the Director of Exercise Physiology at the CSSC. The normal shift is 7.0 hours per day, usually Monday to Friday. However, flexibility in the schedule and overtime are required, involving either longer days (coming in early, staying late) or working on the weekend.

The primary purpose of the position is to coordinate physiological testing with different sport organizations and coaches, conduct physiological testing and compile data. Maintenance and operation of several pieces of equipment including but not limited to metabolic measurement carts, mass spectrometer, treadmills, cycle ergometers are various biochemical analyzers is also required. We are seeking an energetic individual who is interested in working with elite athletes and being part of a team atmosphere. You will require computer experience along with strong interpersonal skills.

Qualifications/Expertise:
· A minimum of an undergraduate degree in Physical Education/Kinesiology with a specialty in exercise science
· Professional and Fitness Lifestyle Consultant (PFLC) required
· Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint)
· Significant experience conducting physiological testing protocols (maximal and submaximal), and operation of physiological testing equipment.
· Strong interpersonal communication skills are required (verbal and written)
· Must be able to work well with others in a team setting, communicate, organize, problem solve and multitask.

Salary: Equivalent with qualifications and experience.

Note: this position is full-time temporary position starting August 22, 2005 (1 year). Part time employment (July and August is a possibility depending on availability of the successful candidate.

Please submit resumes to:

Rosie Neil
Faculty of Kinesiology
University of Calgary
2500 University Dr. NW
Calgary, AB
T2N 1N4
Email: rosie@kin.ucalgary.ca

Posted: June 15th 2005
Closes: June 28th 2005

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those under consideration will be contacted.