WEEK IN REVIEW
July 31 - August 7, 2001 Vol. 4 Issue #29
Compiled and Edited by Julie Parkins

ATHLETE RESULTS

CALGARY ATHLETES FAIL TO ADVANCE AT ATHLETICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

EDMONTON, AB--With the two 'glamour' events of the World Track and Field Championships over and done with in Edmonton (I refer to the 100m), and Donovan Bailey and Bruny Surin out of the running, Canadian eyes turned to other events. On Monday, that was the men's 5000m, where local boy Jeremy Deere was up against the best in the world.

Competitors in the men's 5000m at the Worlds. AP-Kevin Frayer

Deere, the best 5000m runner in Canada, couldn't surpass the best in the world however, and ended up finishing last in his semi-final heat with a time of 14:30.91, nearly a minute off his personal best time. "It was a rough race, " said Deere. "I tried to hang in there with the pack but it just wasn't there today. The crowd was incredible and I tried to use them but it didn't work." Fellow Calgarian Georgette Reed competed in the shot put event on Sunday, and failed to reach beyond the first round with a a best throw of 15.92 metres. Rob Pike competed in the qualification round of the men's pole vault Tuesday morning and failed to advance with his best attempt of 5.30m.

Jermaine Joseph also competed Tuesday morning and failed to advance in the 200m with a sixth place finish in a time of 21.17.

Oliver Utting of Calgary competed in the opening event of the Worlds, the marathon, and finished 65th with a time of 2:39.53.

COACH: Les Gramantik

SAY AND KNABE WIN GOLD AT SWIMMING SUMMER NATIONALS

TORONTO-Rick Say of Calgary won his opening race Sunday at the Summer swimming nationals in Etobicoke.

Say, a member of two Canadian record setting relay teams at the world championships last month, won the gold in the men's 800 freestyle with a time of 8:09. Monday, Morgan Knabe took home gold in the men's 50m breaststroke, while Carrie Burgoyne of Calgary was third in the women's 400 IM with a time of 4:54.42. Competition continues through to Thursday. COACHES: Jan Bidrman / Mike Blondal

Rick Say competing at the World Aquatic Championships last month - AP

CANADA FINISHES EIGHTH AT JUNIOR MEN'S WATER POLO TOURNAMENT

THESSALONIKI, Greece-Vladimir Cosic of Calgary scored twice but Canada lost 6-4 to Australia Sunday to finish eighth at the Samartzidas Cup junior men's water polo tournament.

Cosic in action at the Aquatic World Championships last month - AP - Kimima Mayama

Croatia won the gold medal hammering Italy 10-3 while Yugoslavia defeated Egypt for the bronze. Kevin Mitchell of Calgary and Iain Lark of Vancouver were Canada's other marksmen. The score was tied 2-2 at the half. "We're playing quite well but we lack some consistency," said Canadian team manager Leventy Made. "We had a tough five games at this tournament but we badly needed the international experience."

The tournament was a tune-up for the 24-country world junior championships which start August 10 in Istanbul. Canada's first match is against Hungary, one of the favorites.

COACHES: Michel Roy, John Stockdale

ALBERTANS NAMED TO WORLDS ROWING TEAM

Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) announced the team that will compete in the FISA World Rowing Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland, August 18 to 26 yesterday.

"We have picked a team that we expect will be very competitive," said Brian Richardson, Canadian National Team head coach. "It's pleasing to see such a large team going to the Worlds - earlier in the year we wouldn't have predicted this, but the athletes have worked very hard to meet the standards. It's a very good start to the four-year (Olympic) cycle."

Seven crews are arriving this week in Sarnen, Switzerland for a week-long training camp leading up to the Worlds, the pinnacle of the international rowing calendar. Crews raced in a time trial at RCA's training centres in Victoria, B.C. and London, Ont. this past weekend to determine the Worlds team.

Andrew Hoskins, 25, of Edmonton, AB will race in the heavyweight men's eight, while Michael Simonson, 28, of Calgary, AB will race in the lightweight men's eight. Marilyn Taylor, 30, Calgary, AB is set to stroke the heavyweight women's eight along with . Pauline Van Roessel, 34, of Bow Island, AB.

COACHES: Brian Richardson, Mike Spracklen, Al Morrow

IN THE NEWS....

FREESTYLERS TRAIN IN STYLE

(Keith Thirkell, Vancouver Sun) The Canadian Freestyle team recently wrapped up a two-week training session at one of the best skiing establishments in the world in Blue River, BC through the support of Mike Wiegele Helicoptor Skiing and with funds from the Podium 2002 program.

Wiegele's is considered by many in the ski industry to be "the best kept secret in B.C." Blue River is on the Yellowhead highway about eight hours drive from Vancouver. The glacier itself is huge - three teams could train at once if necessary and a full downhill, nordic and freestyle course takes up only a fraction of the snow-covered ice. "These freestylers are real athletes. They have to be in excellent shape, they're up against the best in the world," says Wiegle.

"The course they ski here is very hard, and long, 320 meters, you have to be in fantastic shape to compete on that level, I know Canadians are a tough people, we can beat everyone else but only if these young people get support at home."

Wiegle also announced a special reward for Salt Lake City athletes. "Any podium winners will get a seven-day ski package, and everyone here, no matter where they place, will get a three day package."

The next step on the road to the Olympics for the team is another camp at Zermatt in the fall then the World Cup races which will determine the final eight places on the team. Participants at the camp included Kelly Ringstad, 26, Jennifer Hiel, 18, and Jennifer Simm, 19, Ryan Johnson, 26, and Jim Schiman, 21.

ALBERTA SKELETON HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL PUSH COMPETITION

The Alberta Skeleton Association proudly presents the 1st Annual Push Competition at the new Ice House at Canada Olympic Park on Saturday, August 11, 2001
from 2 pm - 5 pm.

This is a free event, so come out and watch and get a glimpse into the exciting sport of Skeleton.

SUMMER CLASSIC SPEED SKATING COMPETITION HITS THE OLYMPIC OVAL THIS WEEKEND.

CALGARY, AB--The Olympic Oval is proud to present their fourth annual Summer Classic competition to kick off the Olympic speed skating season.

Running from August 10 - 12, the Summer Classic is the only summer speed skating competition in the world, giving athletes their first opportunity of the season to take a shot at breaking world records. There will be many thrilling and suspenseful moments throughout the competition, which has grown into an exciting three-day international competition with over 130 athletes from 11 countries taking over the Oval. Last year, both national and world records were set as well as personal best times.

Come out and see some of the world’s best speed skaters take to the ice. World and Olympic Champions competing include: Men: Hiroyasu Shimizu (Japan), World Record Holder, 500m Kyu Hyuk Lee (Korea), World Record Holder, 1500m Rintje Ritsma (Netherlands), 3rd overall in 1500m, World Cup standings 2000-01.

Women: Eriko Sanmiya (Japan), 3rd overall in 1000m, World Cup standings 2000-01 Maki Tabata (Japan), 2nd in 1500m & 3rd in 500m at 2001 World Single Distance Championships.

Canadian National and Development Team members Eric Brisson, Arne Dankers, Peter Volcic and Jamie Ivey, will also be competing.

Men’s and Women’s All Around competitions will start on Friday, while Sprint competitions will start Saturday with all competitions winding up on Sunday. Races start at 9:00 a.m. each day.

The Oval is also hosting a 'Friendly Match' between the Canadian National Short Track team and the Korean National team tonight (Tuesday) from 6-9pm.