Canadian Sport Centre Calgary

HONORARY DEGREE FOR CATRIONA LE MAY DOAN

CALGARY - Speed skater Catriona Le May Doan, gold medallist in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Calgary on Friday.

Catriona Le May Doan in a familiar pose - on the podium(Reuters)

Le May Doan, who describes her 2002 season of 20 consecutive wins including her gold medal performance as her "dream season," was given the honour for her commitment to excellence, her dedication to the community, and her contribution to the University of Calgary where she has trained since 1990

When accepting her degree, Le May Doan thanked the staff at the Olympic Oval for their hard work in creating "the fastest ice on earth," the Canadian Sport Centre Calgary for their ongoing support, and, of course, her family, trainers, coaches, and everyone else who helped her to become the world class competitor that she is today.

Catriona Le May Doan can now list among her awards - Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws. Maybe not as powerful as the title of World Champion, Olympic Champion or World record holder, but an outstanding title in recognition of a great athlete and a fabulous person who brings out the best in all of us.

The Canadian Sport Centre Calgary wishes to congratulate Catriona Le May Doan on her remarkable achievement.

FOUR CANADIAN MEDALS AT INTERNATIONAL JUDO TOURNAMENT

ALGHERO, Italy- Luce Baillargeon of Montreal and Michelle Buckingham of Ottawa placed second and third respectively in 57 kilos on Sunday at the Italian Open women's international judo tournament.

Luce Baillargeon of Montreal earns a second place finish at the Italian Open International Judo tournament.

Baillargeon, who is tuning up for the Commonwealth Games next month, lost in the final to Tania Ferreira of Brazil on points while Buckingham, a three-time Olympian, defeated Lynda Mekzine of Algeria in the bronze medal bout. Buckingham's only loss in five bouts was to Ferreira in the semifinal.

Also placing third were Carolyne Lepage of Varennes, Que., in 48 kilos and Jacynthe Maloney of Varennes in 78 kilos. Aminata Sall of Montreal was fifth in 52 kilos.

KELLY'S HEROICS NOT ENOUGH AS JAPAN OVERTAKES CANADA TO FINISH OFF ROUND ROBIN

WINNIPEG (CanSport) It was one of the best Women's Volleyball matches played on Canadian soil in a long time, but despite heroics by veteran players, and amazing rallies throughout the match, Team Canada came up on the losing end on the final match of the round robin portion of the Canada Cup. Japan defeated Canada in four sets with scores of 26-24, 28-26, 21-25 and 26-24.

Japan now finishes in first place after the round robin portion of the tournament with a 3 win, 0 loss record. Canada finishes in second with 2 wins and 1 loss, Puerto Rico in third with 1 win, 2 losses.

Janis Kelly of Winnipeg led Team Canada in today's match with an incredible 25 points and 11 digs. Jenny Rauh of Vancouver added in 13 points for Team Canada while Annie Levesque of Quebec contributed an impressive 15 digs.

"I think this was the best match the Team has played in the last two years," stated Team Canada Head Coach Lorne Sawula. "The defensive rallies and tenacity of both teams were outstanding. In spite of this, our mental execution and tactical mistakes will need to improve for Sunday's championship match if we are too beat this team."

Team Canada was confirmed to take on Japan for the Canada Cup championship match Sunday.

IGALI, SISSAOURI LEAD CANADIAN WRESTLING TEAM FOR COMMONWEALTH GAMES

OTTAWA- Olympic champion Daniel Igali of Surrey, B.C., and Guivi Sissaouri of Montreal are the big names on a strong seven-member Canadian wrestling team for the 2002 Commonwealth Games July 25-August 4 in Manchester, England.

The team also features some up and comers who are sure to make an impact. Wrestling returns to the Games after being omitted from the 1998 programme. In 1994 at Victoria, Canada dominated the Commonwealth Games wrestling tournament with nine gold and a silver in 10 events.

Daniel Igali of Surrey (right) hopes his return to the Commonwealth games is golden.

It was at those Games in Victoria that Igali made a decision to remain in Canada. Since then he has become Canada's first Olympic and world champion and a great ambassador for Canadian sport.

"It won't be a complete full circle until I compete at the Commonwealth Games again," said Igali, who moved up to the 74 kilos class from 69 kilos this season. "So to go to Manchester and improve on my 11th place result from 1994 would be icing on the cake."

In 60 kilos, Sissaouri has also been among the world's very best wrestlers for the past several years. He won a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and he became only Canada's second male world wrestling champion last year. He has four world championship medals in his eight years on the national team.

"He's very close to perfection as a wrestler," said Igali. "Gia is such a fluid wrestler. He's so good from so many positions. He makes it look effortless."

Guivi Sissaouri of Montreal.

The other team members are Mikheil Japaridze of Montreal in 55 kilos, Neal Ewers of Burnaby, B.C., in 66 kilos, Nick Ugoalah of Vancouver in 84 kilos and Dean Schmeichel of Regina in 96 kilos. A wrestle-off later this month will determine whether Eric Kirschner of Saskatoon or Ari Taub of Calgary, represent Canada in 120 kilos.

"It is wonderful to see wrestling back in the Commonwealth Games," said Marg McGregor."

"This should be another powerhouse unit. It'll surely be a special moment for Daniel Igali when he marches in the opening ceremonies for the Canadian team"

CANADIAN RUGBY TEAM SELECTS PLAYER POOL FOR 2002 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

"We have selected the best group of players possible for this tournament," said national team manager Rick Farrally. "The Commonwealth Games is a very important venue for rugby sevens. We must ensure that we perform to the very best of our ability. It is important that we regain some momentum in Manchester this summer. Our season so far has been below par."

The final 12 members for the Commonwealth Games will be determined in a couple of weeks.

Headlining the selections is long-time national team captain Gregor Dixon of Duncan, B.C., who'll get time-off from his job at the Langara Fishing Lodge in the Queen Charlotte Islands, to play in Manchester.

Also selected to the group are professional players Winston Stanley of Victoria, Morgan Williams of Cole Harbour, N.S., Nik Witkowski of Montreal and John Cannon of Abbotsford, BC, which should add some much needed sevens experience to the team.

Speedster Fred Asselin of Montreal, playmaker Jeff Williams of Cole Harbour and Shane Thompson of Montreal, recently selected to the world famous Penguins Sevens team provide even more depth.

"To be part of Team Canada is special to me because it is the first major sporting event that I'm taking part in," said Thompson. "Our team usually goes to rugby tournaments and we don't get to see or interact with other national team athletes."

University of Victoria players Ed Fairhurst, Matt Cohen and Mike Danskin are also included on the list after successful seasons on Canadian soil. Other selections are Jim Douglas of Kelowna, BC, Marco DiGirolamo of Toronto, Todd McBride of Surrey, BC, Garth Prouse of North Vancouver, Dave Lougheed of Calgary and Jesse Frender of Victoria.

"In 1998 rugby sevens had a very successful Commonwealth Games debut," said Marg McGregor, Chef de Mission for the Canadian team. "It's great to see that we have some returning members who are determined to make the finals."

New Zealand won the gold in 1998 with Fiji second and Australia third. Asselin, Dixon, Stanley, Jeff Williams and Witkowski were on the Canadian team in 1998, which was eliminated by Fiji in the quarterfinal.

Here is the 17-player pool for selections to the Commonwealth Games rugby sevens team (12 players to be selected for final roster):
John Cannon, Calgary; Dave Lougheed, Calgary; Shane Thompson, Montreal; Jim Douglas, Kelowna, BC; Marco DiGirolamo, Toronto; Edward Fairhurst, Victoria; Winston Stanley, Victoria; Morgan Williams, Cole Harbour, NS; Jeff Williams, Cole Harbour; Nik Witkowski, Montreal; Fred Asselin, Montreal; Matt Cohen, Victoria; Jesse Frender, Victoria; Garth Prouse, North Vancouver; Todd McBride, Surrey, BC; Mike Danskin, Victoria; George Dixon, Duncan, BC.