Follow CIS athletes at the London Olympics (UPDATED August 10th)

Tera Van Beilen has been getting multiple interview requests a week since she made the Canadian Olympic swimming team four months ago. That was days after her 19th birthday.

“People even ask me for autographs,” says Van Beilen, one of UBC's student-athletes going to London this summer. “It's all so crazy and surreal, I can't believe it's actually my life.”

Van Beilen came to UBC last year to study kinesiology and to swim. Even though she now considers herself a UBC athlete, she will always be a representative of her hometown of Oakville, Ontario. “It's kind of weird, they kind of just want to own me everywhere,” she says.

Her swim for an Olympic medal wasn't supposed to happen this year and for that, she credits UBC.

“It's really all thanks to training with my coach Jozsef Nagy and being in the Aquatic Centre here in Vancouver,” says Van Beilen, who notes that UBC's reputation as a swimming powerhouse is living up to her expectations.

The life of a world-class swimmer has its ups and downs, as Van Beilen describes her daily routine just weeks before the big event. Four times a week she has practices early in the morning, around lunchtime and in the evening; in between, she naps.

“It's a lot of hours a week. I don't bother to count because it makes me feel like I'm crazy.”

At the end of the day, her love for swimming, and seeing how far she has come, helps her drag her feet out of bed every morning. “I have a bigger goal in mind,” she says.

Competing at the Olympic level has given Van Beilen experiences that most people will never have. “Sometimes when I'm on the blocks in Australia, Europe or China, I think to myself: 'am I actually in this country swimming? I have such a crazy life,' and then the beeper goes and it is time to focus.”

Now the big event is just around the corner for Van Beilen, who is still unsure whether both her parents will get to watch her living her dream. She has only received one guest ticket to her events thus far.

“When I think about both my swim events being sold out, it makes me a little freaked out,” she says.

When Van Beilen steps into the spotlight in London, it won't just be the 17,000 spectators watching, it will be the whole world. That's a lot of pressure for a newcomer.

“I always swim well under pressure. I like the adrenaline. Nobody knows who I am so I can use that to my advantage; I can surprise them all.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Five former Brock student-athletes Olympic bound

Source: Brock Sports Info

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - Five former Brock Badger student-athletes will be representing Canada at the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, England.
 
"The Olympic Games are the pinnacle event of amateur sports in the world," said Brock University Director of Athletics Robert Hilson. "To have these five former Brock student-athletes and alumni represent Canada speaks volumes about their dedication, commitment and pursuit of excellence in sport and their everyday lives. We wish them the best of luck as they look to capture gold in London."
 
Tonya Verbeek (Women's Wrestling)
 
Tonya Verbeek enters her third Olympic games of her illustrious career as she prepares for London 2012.
 
Verbeek won the Olympic silver medal at 55kg in Athens 2004 and followed that up with a bronze medal performance at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. She was Canada's first ever-Olympic medalist in women's wrestling.
 
Verbeek was a three-time World Medalist capturing silver in 2011 (Istanbul), bronze in 2009 (Herning) and bronze in 2005 (Budapest). She captured silver at the 2010 Commonwealth Games (Delhi), silver at the 2003 Pan American Games (Santo Domingo) and bronze at the 2007 Pan American Games (Rio De Janeiro). Verbeek is also an 11-time National Champion.
 
In 2002 she helped lead the Brock women's wrestling team to their first ever CIS National Championship. She was named the Brock Female Athlete of the Year twice in 1999-00 and 2000-01.
 
Verbeek was a figure skater in her youth and was a one-time jump roper and a member of the Lincoln Leapers and Jump Energy team; she jumped rope for 11 years starting in Grade 11.
 
Marty Calder (Team Canada Wrestling Coach)
 
Marty Calder enters his sixth season as the head coach and 18th season with the Brock men’s and women’s wrestling program. He has coached two-time Olympian Tonya Verbeek since 2000.
 
The former two-time Olympian (1992, 1996) and Canadian University wrestling standout has continued to excel in the coaching ranks, as he has become one of the top coaches in Canada over the past decade.
 
On the international level he has had the opportunity to coach Brock Olympians Tonya Verbeek, two-time Olympic medalist, Evan MacDonald, Saeed Azarbayjani and Canadian Senior Champions Jessica MacDonald, Michelle Fazzari and Ryan Weicker. He is currently the coach of the Canadian Men’s National Program.
 
Calder has been recognized by his peers in Canadian University Sport earning 17 Coach of the Year honours. He has been named OUA Men’s Coach of the Year five times while earning OUA Women’s Coach of the Year four times. He has also been recognized at the national level earning CIS Men’s Coach of the Year five times and CIS Women’s Coach of the Year four times.
 
As a student-athlete Calder won the CIAU and OUA Championship in 1991-92. Since joining the team as a coach in 1994, he has been part of the Badgers wrestling dynasty which has won 13 National crowns including a CIS record 10 consecutive men’s titles from 1998-2008 and 28 OUA Championships; 16 men and 12 women.
 
As a wrestler, the seven-time Senior National Champion represented Canada in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. While at Brock, Calder was a five-time OUA champion and four-time CIAU champion and first team All-Canadian while leading his team to the first National championship in school history.
 
He went on to win Brock Male Athlete of the Year three times. For his career performance he was inducted into the Brock Hall of Fame in 2003 along with the first CIAU National Championship team which he was part of.
 
Originally from St. Catharines, Calder was a two-sport athlete growing up playing lacrosse and wrestling.
 
Terry Paul (Senior Men's National Rowing Coach)
 
Terry Paul has enjoyed a great career both as an athlete and a coach.
 
In 1987 as a student-athlete he led Team Canada to a bronze medal at the World University Games. In 1990 and 1991, he coxed Canada to back-to-back silver medals at the World Rowing Championships. At the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Paul coxed Canada's men's eight to a gold medal finish.
 
Since then, he has gained much experience as a coach in Canada with the men's program and with the Swiss National Team. This will be his fifth straight Olympics as a coach.
 
In 1993, as the coach of Team Canada, he led the Canadians to seven medals at the 1993 World University Games in Buffalo which included two gold and five silver medals.
 
Terry coached the 2002 World Cup gold medalist lightweight men's four, and women's double, and has been in charge of the Under-23 and non-Olympic programs. In 2006, he coached the Under-23 men's eight to a gold medal and the senior coxed four to a silver medal at the World Championships.
 
In 2008, Terry coached the men's pair to Olympic Silver in Beijing.
 
Terry rowed for the Badgers from 1983-87. He was inducted into the Brock Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996.
 
Elisabeth Walker-Young (Assistant Chef de Mission - Paralympic Games)
 
In 2010 former Brock Badgers swimmer Elisabeth Walker-Young was named the Assistant Chef de Mission for the London 2012 Paralympic Summer Games. 
 
As a member of the Canadian Paralympic Swim Team for 13 years, Elisabeth competed at the 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney, and 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, winning three gold, one silver and two bronze medals overall. Throughout her swimming career, Elisabeth broke numerous Canadian and World records and was team captain for more than half of her career.
 
In addition to her extensive experience as a competitor, Elisabeth also has the professional acumen and leadership expertise in sport. She has worked in sport administration in the development stage within the provincial sport system and has also managed international projects and operations for the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
 
Elisabeth has been involved with the Canadian Paralympic Committee for years as a National Team Member, as a speaker through the Heroes program, as Co-chair of the Classification Taskforce, and as a member of the Paralympic Development Committee. Leading up to the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Summer Games, Elisabeth co-facilitated the team building activities for Mission Staff and led the Diversity and Sensitivity Training session.
 
An NCCP certified swim coach, Elisabeth coached for one year upon her retirement from the sport. She is now a member of Swimming Natation Canada's ParaSwimming Coach and Athlete Selection Committee and guest coaches when opportunities present themselves.
 
Walker-Young was a member of the Brock Badgers swim team from 1997 through 2002, winning nearly every race she competed in and set multiple national and world records.  She parlayed her dominance in the collegiate pools of Canada to great success on the international stage.
 
Jeff Dunbrack (Head Coach National Adaptive Rowing Program)
 
Jeff is in third year with Rowing Canada as the Lead Coach of the National Adaptive Rowing program.
 
Dunbrack rowed for Brock University from 1998-2003. As a student-athlete he helped lead the Badgers to four OUA Championships (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003) and three CURC National Championships (1999, 2002, 2003). He was named the Brock Oarsman of the Year in 2001-02.
 
In 2004 he joined the Brock coaching staff and was an assistant in 2004 and 2005. In early 2005, Dunbrack became the Head Coach of the St. Catharines Rowing Club where he held the position for two years.
 
From 2006 to 2010, Jeff served as the High Performance Coordinator with Wheelchair Basketball Canada. He was the Team Leader for the Silver Medal winning men's wheelchair basketball team at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.
 
His experience in the Canadian Paralympic community combined with his rowing background and coaching skills serve him well in his current position with the adaptive program.
 
This year, Jeff oversaw the first-ever World Championship gold for adaptive rowing in the LTA 4+.
 
The 2012 Olympic Games take place between July 27th and August 12th. The 2012 Paralympic Games take place between August 29th and September 9th.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dalhousie's David Sharpe headed to London Olympics

Source: Dalhousie Sports Information

HALIFAX, N.S. - David Sharpe's dream of becoming an Olympian became reality this week as he was named to the 2012 Canadian Olympic swim team heading to London.

David grew up in Halifax, NS and has been swimming for the Halifax Trojans Aquatic Club since he was seven years old. After graduating from high school he choose to stay in Halifax and attend Dalhousie University where he continued his training on the Tigers varsity swim team.

A highly decorated athlete, David's hard work has not gone unnoticed.

He currently holds six Atlantic University Sport (AUS) records and has been recognized by the AUS as a three-time AUS championship swimmer of the meet, a two-time AUS male swimmer of the year and as the 2009-10 Atlantic conference rookie of the year. David is a three-time AUS all-star and a three-time Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) first team all-Canadian.

In the past three years competing for the Tigers, David has earned 14 AUS titles and three gold, three silver and two bronze CIS medals.

Earlier this year at the Olympic Trials in Montreal David earned an Olympic nomination with a 1:58:81 victory in the 200m butterfly, only .02 seconds ahead of second place. Since that race he has been patiently waiting while swimmers around the world complete their time trials before he could be officially named an Olympic competitor.

David says, "I knew I would be finding out on Saturday and when my coach Aaron (Maszko) finally called I got pretty excited. I look forward to competing and hope to set a new best time."

No stranger to national level events, David represented Canada at the 2009 and 2011 Universiade Games and has previously participated in Canada Games and the Eastern Canadian Championship.

This is an historical event as David is the first male and only the third ever Nova Scotian to attend the Olympics in swimming (Nancy Garapick was the first in 1976 and Marie Moore was the second in 1984).

Swim Nova Scotia President Sue Jackson says, "This is exciting for swimming in Nova Scotia. The Olympics is the ultimate goal now to have one of our own go is incredible. This story shows the young ones that dreams come true."

David is a third-year student in Dalhousie's science program and is working on a major in mathematics.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former Bison Desiree Scott named as part of Canada women’s soccer team nominated roster for London 2012 Summer Olympics
Scott earns first-ever spot on Olympic squad as one of 18 players selected

Source: Manitoba Sports Info

The Canadian Soccer Association has nominated its roster for the London 2012 Women's Olympic Football Tournament. Canadian head coach John Herdman has selected 18 players that will join Team Canada for the London 2012 Summer Olympics and former Manitoba Bisons player and Bison coach Desiree Scott was one of the players named to the women’s soccer team.

Canada's roster features goalkeepers Karina LeBlanc and Erin McLeod, defenders Candace Chapman, Carmelina Moscato, Emily Zurrer, Robyn Gayle, Lauren Sesselmann, Chelsea Stewart and Rhian Wilkinson, midfielders Kaylyn Kyle, Diana Matheson, Kelly Parker, Sophie Schmidt and Desiree Scott, and forwards Jonelle Filigno, Christine Sinclair, Melissa Tancredi and Brittany Timko.

This marks Canada's second participation in the Women's Olympic Football Tournament. Canada is one of 12 teams focused on a podium result, with the competition split into three groups of four teams for the group phase.

This is Scott’s first-ever selection to the national Olympic squad. She commented after hearing the news, “I'm officially part of the 18 player roster heading to London this summer! I am completely honoured and blessed and honestly cannot stop smiling right now! Who would have ever thought this would be possible.”

The Winnipeg native has gained vast experience with the Canadian national team over the last four years as she has 43 caps (appearances) for Team Canada so far. Her national resume includes: Canada Soccer Female Player of the Month for January 2012 after helping Canada qualify for the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament while earning three-straight “Player of the Match” honours; started four of five games (played in all five) and started both of the playoff matches at the 2012 Pan Am Games, which Canada won gold; she became the first Manitoba-trained player to participate in a FIFA Women's World Cup - the world's biggest women's sporting event. Scott played in two 2011 World Cup games, after being selected to the 21 player roster; Scott played for Canada in back-to-back wins at the Cyprus Women’s Cup in 2011 and 2010 plus part of two CONCACAF championships (gold in 2010 and silver).

The 2009-10 Bison Sports Female Athlete of the Year, Scott made a huge imprint on the Manitoba Bisons women’s soccer program as a player during her illustrious five-year career (2005-09). She earned four total conference All-Star recognition (First Team: 2008, 2009; Second Team: 2005, 2006) along with being named 2005 Canada West Rookie of the Year plus 2009, 2008 CIS First Team All-Canadian. The midfielder registered the most points and assists in a Bison career with 56 points (31 goals, 25 assists) in 64 conference regular season games. Scott also was part of the Bison women’s soccer coaching staff during the 2011 season.

At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Canada faces Japan on 25 July in Coventry, South Africa on 28 July in Coventry, and Sweden on 31 July in Newcastle. Both Japan (champion) and Sweden (bronze) were medal winners at the most recent FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011.

Either two or three teams will advance from each group, with eight teams participating in the quarter-final phase. The quarter-final matches are on 3 August, the semi-final matches are on 6 August, and the final medal matches are on 9 August.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CIS produces over half of Canadian Olympic roster

OTTAWA (CIS) – The Canadian Olympic swimming trials came to an end on Sunday in Montreal with 31 athletes being nominated for the 2012 Summer Games. Of the group, no less than 17 are current or former CIS swimmers.

Highlighting the list of Canadian university standouts who booked their ticket for London are University of British Columbia teammates Savannah King (400-800 freestyle) and Tommy Gossland (4x100 free relay), the reigning CIS female and male swimmers of the year.

Other CIS stars past and present who claimed an Olympic berth over the last six days include UBC’s Heather MacLean (4x100 free), Martha McCabe (200 breaststroke), Tera Van Beilen (100-200 breast), Scott Dickens (100-200 breast, 4x100 medley) and Brent Hayden (50-100 free, 4x100 free); Victoria’s Hilary Caldwell (200 backstroke), Stephanie Horner (400 IM) and Ryan Cochrane (400 free, 1500 free); Calgary’s Erica Morningstar (200 IM) and Amanda Reason (4x200 free); as well as Montreal’s Audrey Lacroix (200 butterfly), McGill’s Victoria Poon (50 free, 4x100 free), Guelph’s Andrew Ford (200 IM), Toronto’s Colin Russell (4x100 free) and Dalhousie’s David Sharpe (200 fly).

Eight of the 17 London-bound CIS swimmers have previous Olympic experience, including King (2008), Morningstar (2008), Lacroix (2008), Poon (2008), Dickens (2004), Hayden (2004, 2008), Cochrane (2008) and Russell (2008).

Cochrane, who earned CIS swimmer-of-the-year honours with the Vikes in 2010-11, won Canada’s lone swimming medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing with a bronze in the 1,500 metres. 

McCabe, Morningstar, Dickens and Russell have also been named CIS MVP during their career.

The 31-member Olympic roster is Canada’s largest swimming contingent since 2000 and four more than in 2008. The swimming competition in London will run from July 28 to August 4.

TRIAL NOTES: On Saturday, Van Beilen (2:24.03) and McCabe (2:24.81) swam the second and third fastest times in the world this year in the women’s 200 breaststroke... McCabe claimed bronze in the event at the 2011 FINA world championships in Shanghai.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Olympic breakthrough for Gee-Gee Segun Makinde

Source: Ottawa Sports Info

Following the conclusion of the 2012 Canadian Track and Field Trials, Athletics Canada named their list of athletes who are bound for the London Olympic Games. Third year uOttawa Finance student Oluwasegun Makinde, known as Segun, was named as one of the members of Canada's 4x100m Olympic relay team after he captured a national silver medal in the 200m.

Segun and his younger brother Tolu, who also competes with the Gee-Gees track and field team, attended Colonel By Seconday School in Ottawa. Both brothers were members of the double-gold winning uOttawa relay team at the 2012 CIS Track and Field Championships. Segun won this year's OUA gold medal in the 300m, but slipped to 5th at the CIS Championships.

Makinde, who is coached by five-time Olympian Glenroy Gilbert, is already an experienced international competitor. He represented Canada at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2008, and more recently came fifth in the 200m at the 2011 Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China last September.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UofC Alumni Association supports Zelinka’s Olympic quest

Source: Erin Mason, University of Calgary Alumni office

CALGARY - When alumna and Canadian heptathlon and hurdling champion Jessica Zelinka takes aim at an Olympic medal in London later this month, she’ll have her family and her country cheering for her, and special support from the University of Calgary Alumni Association.

Zelinka’s 2012 Canadian Track and Field Trials race bib was auctioned on Twitter last week to raise money to send her husband, fellow University of Calgary graduate Nathaniel Miller, and their daughter, Anika, to London. When the auction concluded, the University of Calgary Alumni Association stood beside Zelinka with the winning bid in hand. 

"Jessica is a very special alumna, a former Dino, and a serious medal contender in London," said University of Calgary Alumni Association President Ken McKinnon. "This was a tremendous chance to support one of our own alumni and her family. The Alumni Association is behind Jessica all the way. We’re so proud of her."

The London, Ont. native remains one of the most decorated Dinos student-athletes in history after graduating with a BA in 2007. A two-time University of Calgary female athlete of the year (2003, 2007), Zelinka also won the BLG Award as the top female student-athlete in CIS in 2007 - a year that saw her record several record performances.

Winning five gold medals, including a still-standing CIS record in the pentathlon with 4,380 points, she scored 58 of the team's 103 points as the Dinos captured the 2007 CIS women's track and field team title. She was a three-time CIS female track athlete of the year and won Athletics Canada's Fred Tees Trophy as the top Canadian track and field athlete enrolled at a Canadian university three times during her varsity career.

Now, she's among the top female athletes that Canada is sending to London for this summer's Olympic Games.

Zelinka’s first Olympic quest was Beijing in 2008 when she finished fifth in the world in the heptathlon. The chance to pursue her Olympic dreams came true yet again this past Canada Day weekend with a Canadian heptathlon title and national record, as well as a 12.68-second first-place finish in a world-class 100-metre hurdles field to qualify for both events in London.

"I wanted the community to get behind this auction," said Zelinka. "I was so glad the Alumni Association saw the opportunity to step in and support me. It's so fitting and it means a lot."

Zelinka is London-bound this Friday and will start her competition Aug. 3 in the two-day heptathlon, with the 100-metre hurdles to be held a few days later on Aug. 6 and 7.

She'll have a busy schedule, but Zelinka is excited to share the Olympic experience with her family, especially her young daughter.

"I can't wait to see their faces," she said.

The Alumni Association and entire University of Calgary community will be rooting her on from home.

The University of Calgary Alumni Association is committed to building a rich and vibrant support network amongst graduates of the University of Calgary. For more information, please www.ucalgary.ca/alumni.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow University of Calgary Olympians with 'Postcards from London'

Source: Calgary Sports Info

CALGARY - The final countdown to the London 2012 Olympic Games is well underway, and more than a half-dozen members of the University of Calgary family are getting ready to show the world what they are made of.

And you can track them all with today's launch of our Postcards from London website, which offers bios, schedules, twitter handles, stories and snapshots from overseas.

Of the group, four are current or former Dinos student-athletes who continue a long tradition of Olympic success which includes 11 medal-winning performances. CLICK HERE to view the Dinos' Olympic history.

First to step onto the world stage in London – on July 27 – will be national champion gymnast Nathan Gafuik for qualification events. While taking part in all disciplines, Gafuik's specialty is the high bar and he is a medal hopeful in a competition that is wide open.

Gafuik practically grew up on the University of Calgary campus – his mother has worked at the university for nearly all of Nathan's life – and he continues to train at the university's gymnastics centre.

Swimmer Erica Morningstar has her heats in the 200-metre individual medley July 31. This is her second Olympic Games, and Morningstar has spent the past four years working toward a spot on the podium.

“Last time, it was about going to compete and getting into the semi-finals and finals,” she said. “This time, I want to win a medal and I want to win it badly.”

Fellow Dinos swimmer Amanda Reason will form part of the Canadian team for the women's 4x200-metre freestyle relay Aug. 1. The squad is looking to upset the strong U.S., Chinese and Australian teams.

The track and field competition traditionally begins in the second week of the Olympic Games, and that is when University of Calgary alumna Jessica Zelinka will attempt to improve on her fifth-place finish in the heptathlon at the Beijing 2008 Games. She is in good form, having set a new the Canadian record of 6599 points at this month's Canadian Olympic trials. A similar performance will put her in strong medal contention.

Zelinka will also contest the 100-metre hurdles after a surprise win at the trials.

Two big names from the Dinos wrestling program round out the campus-connected competitors late in the second week of the Games. Reigning gold medalist Carol Huynh will attempt defend her title in the women's freestyle 48-kilogram class. Currently an assistant coach in the Dinos program, Huynh could become the first Canadian Olympian to win consecutive gold medals in the same event.

Recent University of Calgary graduate Leah Callahan, a three-time CIS national champion between 2009 and 2011, will look to add an Olympic gold medal to her trophy cabinet in the 72-kilogram freestyle class.

Incoming law student Inaki Gomez will be competing in the speed walking on Aug. 4, and cyclist Clara Hughes is taking part in both the road race and time trials as the former fine arts student attempts to add to her Winter and Summer Games medal collection.

The exploits of these athletes will be closely followed by their many supporters at the University of Calgary – a task made easier with the launch of our Postcards from London site.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LONDON CALLING: Fourteen McGillians headed to Summer Olympics

Source: McGill Sports Info

MONTREAL - A 14-member entourage from McGill University, including six athletes, is headed to London for the Summer Olympic Games, July 27 to Aug. 14.

Among the McGill graduates participating as athletes are former Redmen rowers Doug Vandor (BSc '98; MSc Experimental Surgery, '02) of Dewittville, Que., and Derek O'Farrell (BSc, Physiology, '07), a native of Toronto who resides in Montreal.

Former Martlet swimmer Victoria Poon (BSc Kinesiology, '10) will be competing, along with ex-Martlet volleyball star Marie-Andrée Lessard (BCom '01) who will be in the beach volleyball competition. Both hail from LaSalle, Que.

Also going is Martine Dugrenier of Laval, Que.. a McGill grad (BEd '08) who wrestled at Concordia. The sixth Olympian is Montreal native Jo-Annie Fortin, a synchronized swimmer who was recently admitted to McGill and will be a psychology freshman in September.

Among the coaches and officials heading to England are a number of former prominent McGill athletes, including IOC member Richard Pound (swimmer, BCom'62, BCL'67) of Montreal and IOC director of legal affairs Howard Stupp (wrestler, BEng'78, LLB'83, BCL'83) of Laval, Que., in addition to modern pentathlon coach John Hawes (swimmer, BSc '72, DipEd '73) of Pointe Claire, Que., plus COC director of Olympic preparation & integrated planning Derek Covington (track & field; MA'92) of Montreal and physician Dr. Linda Thyer (track & cross-country; MDCM, 1994), who was born in Montreal and raised in Nelson, B.C.

Rounding out the squad of McGill grads is wrestling coach Victor Zilberman (MA ’79) of Cote St. Luc, Que., Dr. Suzanne Leclerc (PhD '04) of Montreal and sports psychologist Dr. Wayne Halliwell (MA'73) of Beaconsfield, Que.

The above-mentioned athletes are among 112 McGill students or grads that have gone on to Olympic glory over the past century. McGillians have won a combined total of 28 Olympic medals, including eight gold, nine silver and 11 bronze. Topping that list is the late Dr. Phil Edwards, a graduate from the faculty of medicine, who racked up five bronze medals while representing Canada at the Summer Games in Amsterdam (1928), Los Angeles (1932) and Berlin (1936).

He was the first Canadian to win medals in three Olympic Games and his achievement stood for 66 years until short-track speed-skater Marc Gagnon equalled the feat in 2002. That standard was surpassed by Clara Hughes, who has merited medals (6) over four different Games (1996, 2002, 2006, 2010).

Six McGill students have won Olympic gold but swimmer George Hodgson, who reached the top of the podium twice at Stockholm in 1912, is the only one to strike gold at the Summer Games.

McGillians have fared better at the Winter Olympics with hockey goaltender Kim St-Pierre earning gold at three Olympiads (2002 in Salt Lake City, 2006 in Turin and 2010 in Vancouver). Two of her McGill teammates -- Charline Labonté and Catherine Ward -- also were part of the win in 2010, which added to the gold that Labonté won in 2006. Freestyle skier Jennifer Heil claimed her gold at the 2006 Games.

Curious about other McGill Olympians? Read on for the names of past and present student athletes at McGill who have participated in winter and summer Olympic Games.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

London-bound: Gee-Gee Makinde to take his mark on the Olympic stage

Source: Ottawa Sports Info

Despite being just 21 years of age, third-year Gee-Gees sprinter Oluwasegun Makinde (Ottawa, Ont.) is a veteran competitor on the international stage, having first represented Canada back in 2007. That year, Makinde competed at the World Youth Championships in Athletics, and finished eighth in the 200m. Since then, Makinde has competed at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games, the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships, and the 2011 Summer Universiade where he finished fifth in the men’s 200m event.

“It’s really cool to represent Canada on the international stage,” said Makinde. “Not only am I representing Canada, but I’m representing Ottawa, my school, the Gee-Gees, my high school, my elementary school, even all the people back in my neighbourhood. I’m competing with that knowledge and that kind of helps me run really well.”

After running at the 2012 Canadian Track and Field Trials, held in Calgary, June 27 to 30, Makinde will now compete at the biggest international stage of them all, the 2012 Summer Olympics. At the Trials, Makinde ran a personal best of 20.71 seconds in the 200m event to finish in a close second place. This excellent showing, combined with Makinde’s stellar history in sprinting and relay events, led to his nomination to the Canadian 4x100m Olympic relay team.

“I competed on Saturday and then I found out on the next day during breakfast,” said Makinde about being named to the Canadian Olympic team. “They announced the whole team there at breakfast—you went up there and got your [Olympic] jacket. It was pretty cool.”

Makinde won’t have much time to celebrate however, as he begins his final preparations for the London Olympics. The commerce student is hoping that his prior experiences in competing at international events will come in handy when he is faced with pressure-packed situations at the Olympic Games.

“I’ve competed at different international stages, with each one getting bigger and bigger, and this is kind of the biggest stage there is, especially for our sport. All those experiences coming together and knowing some of the things I did wrong, some of the things I did well, now it’s time to combine them all together,” explained Makinde.

Like the majority of sports fans, Makinde started watching the Olympic Games when he was just a kid. While most people’s experience with the Olympics end there—sitting in a comfortable couch in front of a television screen—Makinde started to believe that he may be able to compete in the Olympics one day, as the years went by.

“I remember watching the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, the 2004 Olympics in Athens, and of course, the 2008 Games in Beijing. At first, I just watched it because it was cool and it was fun, and I was just cheering for Canada and also Nigeria because I’m from Nigeria,” said Makinde. “But as I started to do track and field and got pretty good, I started thinking, ‘I want to be there too’, and then eventually it turned into ‘I want to win an Olympic medal now.’”

Now that he is London-bound, the veteran sprinter also realizes that there are many responsibilities that come with being an Olympic athlete—just as he looked up to the athletes who competed at past Olympic Games, many young, future Olympic hopefuls will now look up to Makinde as a possible role model.

“I have a responsibility, not just to lead Canada, but towards the people who are looking up to me now. I realize that there are a lot of people who look up to me, especially kids, and now I have to conduct myself like an Olympian. It’s kind of like a job responsibility and I take that really seriously,” said Makinde.

At the London Olympic Games, Makinde will be joined by his Ottawa Lions coach Glenroy Gilbert—a former five-time Olympian—who is the national coach for the 4x100m relay team. Ottawa Lions teammate Oluseyi Smith was also selected to the 4x100m relay team and he will compete together with Makinde in London.

“I know some of the other guys on the team, we’ve competed against each other in past events. Team chemistry is so important in relay, to know how your other member receives his stick, how he leaves the mark—if you don’t know those type of things, it’s really easy for things to happen like dropping the baton,” said Makinde of the importance of teamwork between the relay athletes.

Of course, strong team chemistry was one of the biggest reasons behind the Canadian 4x100m men’s relay team’s gold medal winning performance at the 1996 Olympics. Canada has only ever won two Olympic medals in the men’s 4x100m relay event—this year’s squad is expected to have a shot at making the podium. Though Makinde will likely have chances to qualify for at least a couple more Olympic Games in the future, he is hoping to return home from his first Olympics with a medal in his hand.

“There’s no point of going to the Olympics just to sight-see or be a spectator. I’m for sure hoping to win a medal, even though it’s my first one. That’s what I’m training for. I’m not training to run and just have fun, I’m hoping to win, and to bring back some hardware,” said Makinde.

And for everyone from the university community who will be cheering for the 4x100m Canadian men’s relay team, Makinde has a special message for them.

“A big shout out to uOttawa, because that’s my school. I want to thank everyone at uOttawa for supporting me, especially my professors, who really helped me out in accommodating my travels this year.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow the University of Toronto Varsity Blues at the 2012 Olympic Games

Source: Toronto Sports Info

TORONTO - Check back for up-to-date information and results on the 11 athletes and three staff members that are set to represent the University of Toronto and their respective countries at the 2012 Olympic Games in London (July 27-August 12).

http://varsityblues.ca/news/2012/7/17/GEN_0717124308.aspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summer Olympic Games get a taste of McMaster

Source: McMaster Sports Info

The world’s largest sports competition, the Summer Olympic Games, is set for London, England from July 27 to August 12, 2012.
 
Making the trip to the UK for this summer’s Olympics are several members of the McMaster Athletics and Recreation family, who will be representing the university as well as the Canadian team, both in competition and behind the scenes.
 
The Canadian women’s basketball team recently qualified for the Summer Games, marking Canada’s return to Olympic competition for the first time since 2000. Members of the Canadian staff are assistant coach Lisa Thomaidis and team manager Anne Marie Thuss.
 
Thomaidis is a McMaster alumna who played five great seasons in the Maroon & Grey, being named an OUA All-Star three times. She served as an assistant coach under present Mac mentor Theresa Burns, and she is currently the head coach at the University of Saskatchewan. In 2006, Thomaidis was inducted into the McMaster Athletic Hall of Fame.
 
A current assistant coach with the Marauder women’s basketball team, Thuss has been on the McMaster staff since 2001 and spent one year as the team’s interim head coach. She has been involved with the Canadian national team program for several years, and said being part of the Olympic qualifying experience was a very emotional time. “To have been part of this journey for the past 10 years with these remarkable women through qualification tournaments, Pan Am championships and World championships, it is fitting that their commitment to work hard for each other and their country has earned them a berth in the Olympics this summer,” said Thuss. “Nothing was more fitting then to have the team qualify on Canada Day in Ankara, Turkey and it was emotional on so many different levels for many of us.”
 
Heading to London as the head athletic therapist for the Canadian beach volleyball team is Colleen Cupido. The manager of McMaster’s David Braley Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Clinic, Cupido has been piling up the air miles as she was in Mexico for a recent Olympic qualifying event that saw Canada win in both men’s and women’s competition and qualify for the summer games. A former national team athlete herself, Cupido says the Olympics represent the pinnacle of achievement within one’s sport. “Having the opportunity to wear the Canadian flag while representing our country in the Olympic Games is a dream come true for me and all the members of our National Beach Volleyball delegation,” said Cupido before leaving for London. “I feel both honored and privileged to be a part of the team in the role as Chief Therapist, and I will cherish my Olympic experience forever.”
 
Also joining the Sports Medicine staff for the Canadian Olympic delegation is Tara Baker, who will be serving as a physiotherapist for the Canadian mountain bike team. Baker holds Bachelor of Kinesiology and Masters of Physiotherapy degrees from McMaster and was an employee of the Pulse Fitness Centre while completing her studies.

A stellar competitor for the McMaster cross country team over his varsity career, Andrew Yorke is going to the Olympics in a challenging position. Yorke was named as the team alternate for Men’s Triathlon, meaning he will only compete should one of the three Canadians set to go in London suffer injury or illness. Yorke commented on his status, “The Men's triathlon goes off on August 7th. In the unfortunate circumstance that someone was injured I would race at the games as a team concept racer, aiding my fellow Canadians on the swim and bike portions of the race and then free to race for myself on the run.”
 
Despite being in the difficult position of alternate, Yorke is determined to get the most out of his exposure to the world’s biggest sports festival. “Getting named to Team Canada was an exhilarating feeling. Not many athletes ever get the opportunity to participate, even in a small role, at a major games so I feel very fortunate that Triathlon Canada has recognized my hard work by naming me to the team,” said Yorke. “My goal has always been to challenge for a high placing at the Olympics in 2016 and I see this as a stepping stone to realizing my ultimate dream four years from now. My coach Barrie Shepley (Mac alumni) has instilled a belief that I could compete with the best in the world one day, and I have to thank him for all of the support he has and continues to give me.”
 
One of Yorke’s teammates on the Canadian Triathlon team is decorated Olympian Simon Whitfield, who was recently named as Canada’s Flag Bearer for the Opening Ceremonies. Taking note of Yorke’s vast improvement over the last year, Whitfield has made McMaster a second training base in preparation for the London Games. The native of B.C. has been training extensively with McMaster Swim Coach Andrew Cole, and Rory Sneyd and Paula Schnurr from the Mac Cross Country team. Already a Gold (2000 in Sydney) and Silver (2008 in Beijing) Olympic medalist, any success Whitfield has in London will have a tint of Maroon to go along with it.
 
Among the medal favourites in London will be the Canadian men’s eights rowing crew, featuring McMaster alumni Doug Csima and Jerry Brown. The Canadian men’s eight won the last Olympic Gold medal at the 2008 games in Beijing, and set the world record over 2000-metres at a regatta in Switzerland last May to qualify for the summer games. A native of Oakville, Csima was a member of the McMaster Varsity Rowing Crew from 2003-07 and has been a top performer for Hamilton’s Leander Boat Club and a member of the National rowing team since 200
 
8; while Brown of Cobourg got started rowing a little later. A former offensive tackle with the Marauder football team from 2004-2007, Brown did not take up the sport until 2008 and joined the Canadian men’s eight in 2011.
 
Heading to her second Olympics is alumna Donna Vakalis, who will be competing in the Modern Pentathlon. Vakalis served as Canadian team alternate in 2008 in Beijing, but will compete in London and enters the Games ranked 32nd in the world. Modern Pentathlon has competitors engage in fencing, swimming, running, shooting, and show jumping. New to the competition in 2012 is the introduction of laser pistols, replacing the formerly used pellet guns.
 
In a recent Toronto Star article, Vakalis commented on the diversity of her event, and having to excel at five sports in one day. “It’s learning to live with knowing you can’t spend 100 per cent of your time just doing one thing … you hope to be a more balancing person than that, so you try to excel at multiple things,” she said.
 
While not competitors in sports that are offered by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), there are three more McMaster alumni that will be competing in London.
 
One of Canada’s most successful summer Olympians, kayaker Adam Van Koeverden, will be back on the water as he shoots for another podium finish. The Oakville native and 2007 McMaster graduate won Gold and Bronze medals at the 2004 Games in Athens, and brought home a Silver medal from Beijing in 2008. He is again listed among the favourites in his best event, the K-1 1500m race.
 
Making their first appearance in Olympic competition are Equestrian David Marcus who will compete for Canada in Dressage, and Font Hill’s Joe Veloce, who will debut on the Cycling track at the new Olympic Velodrome.
 
As a event that only occurs every four years, it’s a special time for those involved and triathlete Andrew Yorke comments on just how meaningful the Olympic Games are for the participants. “The Olympics are the pinnacle of our sport and competing there justifies your sacrifices, and the sacrifices of teammates, coaches, family and friends. There is nothing more I would love to do than wear the Maple Leaf on my chest and represent Canada at the Olympics and hopefully have the chance to do something special for the entire country.”
 
McMaster Athletics and Recreation wants to send best wishes to all of the Marauders heading to the biggest sporting stage in the world, whether as competitors or as support staff that will help our Olympians be at their best. BRING HOME THE GOLD!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windsor head coach Vallée to work as CTV basketball analyst at London Olympics

Source: Windsor Sports Info

Windsor Lancers women's basketball head coach Chantal Vallee has been hired as a basketball analyst by CTV to help cover the Canadian Women's Basketball portion of the Olympic Summer Games in London, England.

Vallee, a Montreal native and the head coach of the two-time defending CIS women's basketball champions will leave for London on Thursday and will cover Team Canada's games at the Olympics.

She will work along side play-by-play announcer and well known basketball insider Paul Jones at the Olympics.

Team Canada has been placed in Pool B for the Olympics and will play five round robin games before the medal round begins. They'll tip-off the tournament on Saturday, July 28th at 6:15am eastern time against Russia.

Coach Vallee is very excited to be part of the Olympic experience in London this summer.

"I am thrilled about this new adventure and for the chance to share in the Olympic Games this year," commented Vallee. "I'm honoured that CTV and producer Gord Cutler has given me this opportunity in London. It will be great exposure for our program, our university and our City to be represented on CTV during the Olympic Games. I am looking forward to this new challenge and to experience the Olympics in a different capacity than solely a viewer and fan."

For the complete Canadian Women's Basketball schedule at the Olympics, see below.

Pool B - Canadian Women's Preliminary Schedule
Sat., July 28th vs. Russia (6:15am)
Mon., July 30th vs. Great Britain (3:00pm)
Wed., August 1st vs. France (4:00am)
Fri., August 3rd vs. Brazil (9:30am)
Sun., August 5th vs. Australia (9:30am)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Local Olympian returns for Highland Games (StFX's Eric Gillis)

Source: Gail MacDougall, The Casket newspaper

World caliber runner and Antigonish native Eric Gillis donned the kilt and participated in the Antigonish Highland Games five-mile road race on July 13th. The 32-year-old, who will represent Canada in the marathon at next month's Olympics in London, England, joined 306 runners in the annual event.

“I decided about six weeks ago that I would like to come home and run in the Highland Games or at least be a part of the weekend,” Gillis said.

“I knew I wouldn't go into the event to race it, but it gave me an opportunity to step back from the pressure of training and the expectations I have for myself heading into the Olympics.”

Gillis said he did a 90-minute workout Thursday, covering over 40k, so Friday was a recovery day. “I just wanted to enjoy the crowd and just go out and run,” the accomplished athlete said. “I'm here (Antigonish) to get a good vibe from this and take this feeling to London with me.”

Gillis said people probably expected him to win the race, but right now the Olympics are more important than the AHG race, so following his training schedule was of upmost importance. Prior to race time Gillis said he would cover the distance in 35 minutes, which is exactly what he did.

Gillis began his running career in the area, participating in Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation track and cross country events from Grade 7 through Grade 12. Championships were not uncommon for the Bernie Chisholm-coached athlete and Gillis subsequently moved on to compete at the university level where in 2003 he won the Canadian Interuniversity Sport cross country championship as a member of the X-Men.

“I really enjoyed the social aspect of being on a team. Antigonish was a place I was able to train well and run well. Both high school and StFX were places I felt comfortable in and both places allowed me to progress. Bernie coached me on both teams and I enjoyed that.”

Gillis said Antigonish provided a solid base in schooling, socially and athletically during his teenage years and it has kept him grounded in pursuing his goals. While offered opportunities to attend school outside Canada, Gillis said the choice to stay in the country and run at StFX was the right one.

“I liked being a big fish in a small pond,” Gillis said. “I liked the extra support I got at StFX – the program they have for students with learning disabilities is very good and I benefitted from that. Putting my degree first was my priority and then athletics after that. It worked out very well for me in all aspects of my university life.”

Gillis competed in the 10,000m race in the 2008 Olympics in China and made the decision shortly after to tackle marathon running.

“My coach (Dave Scott-Thomas) and I thought in 2009 we needed a re-start and the marathon is a challenging event,” Gillis said. “It's very different from the track. I felt that was the time to take a break from having to run extremely fast on the track and it was almost like learning a new event. I had a lot of fun training for my first marathon.”

Gillis said he always knew he would eventually become a marathon runner, but it was a long-term goal, not something he focused on day-to-day. He ran his first marathon in Houston, Texas in 2010 confirming that he wanted to concentrate on the sport in the ensuing years. He has run three marathons leading up to the Olympics.

“I've had success with the Toronto race last year and I feel I can take confidence from that,” he said. “Going into London, if I can add a bit more on, I'll be very happy to go to the Olympics with that kind of fitness.”

Gillis has been running out of the Speed River Club in Guelph, Ont., under the direction of Scott-Thomas, since graduatiing from university.

The runner noted there were many times where running wasn't his first priority, unlike now, but added in recent years the commitment has always been there.

He wonders how different things could have been, if he had travelled a different path. “A lot of fortunate things have happened that have allowed me to keep progressing,” he said.

“Once I got older I realized that my success isn't necessarily just about the work I put into it, but I've also had some breaks and a lot of help along the way.”

Gillis said it was important to keep a positive mind frame in attaining his goals, noting there is not just one route to achieving them. He focused on finding a way, despite setbacks.

In 2009, the year following the Beijing Olympics, Gillis said he wasn't having a great year but made the commitment to earn a spot in the London Games. “I had to step back and think of what the long-term goal was,” he said. “My goal was to run fast in the marathon but my focus had to be how I was going to do that as opposed to that's what I want to do. Don't focus just on what you want in life, but rather how to achieve it. I've had thousands of goals in my running career that add up and got me to the Olympics.”

Gillis first represented Canada at the World University cross country championships in 2003 and has returned to the world stage on numerous occasions since. “I was pumped to be on that team but then the first time around you think there will be many more opportunities,” he commented.

“When I went to Beijing, which was probably the fifth time I represented Canada, I put a lot of pressure on myself. I felt I had to run a certain time and it was too much pressure. It wasn't fun.”

Gillis said the pressure heading into London is not as intense and he is enjoying representing Canada and has a great deal of respect for wearing the Canadian uniform. “I like where I'm at right now and I'm treating this as another stepping stone that will be higher than I've been before.”

Gillis, who is married to former StFX runner Emily Hurst, said it's been a huge learning curve to adjust to family responsibilities. The X grads are parents to two-year-old Heidi.

Gillis said the days of focusing just on his running career are over and credits Emily for her tremendous support. “Having a family supporting you puts something into your running,” Gillis said.

“Heidi puts things into perspective. When I come home after a workout, especially if it's not where I want it to be, she brightens up the day. I also focus on putting a lot of effort into running during the time of the day I devote to running but then I like to turn it off when I'm at home when I'm with Emily and Heidi. In 2008, before we got married, I think I was always in that running mode and that wasn't beneficial for me or the people around me.”

“Even after I left Antigonish, the community and the people have consistently supported me both financially and otherwise,” he said.

“They continue to follow me even though I'm not living in Antigonish.” His last race in Antigonish was in 2003 as a member of the StFX cross country team.

“It's been a while, so it's definitely nice to be back,” he commented. “I'm 32 years old and I feel like my best times are still out there,” He said. " I'm still hungry and fighting for them."

Gillis returned to Guelph Sunday and will join forces with running mate Reid Coolsaet who will also represent Canada in the Olympic marathon event. A third member of the marathon team, Dylan Wykes, will join the pair for 10 days of preparation for the competition.

“Reid and I will get in a week and a half of good workouts and then we begin bringing our taper down,” Gillis said. “We'll leave for London July 29 and will be there for two days before heading to Germany for a week,” Gillis said.

“We return to London three days before the race, which is Aug. 12, the last day of the Olympics. We'll run at 7 a.m. Atlantic time.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Eight Queen's alumni set for London 2012 Olympics

Source: Queen's Sports Info

KINGSTON, Ont. - Eight Queen's alumni are among the Canadians preparing for the 2012 Olympic Games. This group of dedicated alumni are competing or supporting competitors in rowing, sailing and track and field.
 
Gordon Cook, Sc'02, makes his second consecutive appearance at an Olympic Games. He is competing in the 49er class with partner Hunter Lowden. The pair has notable top-10 finishes at international races such as the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta and the Delta Lloyd Regatta. They also finished in the top 25 at the World Championships in 2010.

John Curtis, Artsci'90, Law'95, competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics and spent a year working as High Performance Manager and General Counsel at the Canadian Yachting Association afterwards. He is a mediation lawyer based in Kingston and a sessional instructor in alternative dispute resolution at Queen's. He'll be attending the 2012 Games as part of the support team, reporting to the Canadian media and acting in a legal capacity if required.

Greg Douglas, who attended the engineering program at Queen's in 2008-09 is competing in sailing. Greg sails in a single-handed heavyweight men's dinghy called a Finn. He worked as a race coach at Kingston Yacht Club during the 2009 season, and saw success locally when he won the 2011 Canadian Finn Championship here.

Morgan Jarvis, Artsci'05, MSc'08, Law'10, has competed at five World Championships in rowing—three senior and two Under-23. This is his first Olympic Games. Morgan started rowing at high school in New Zealand (NZ) when his father's work as Canadian High Commissioner to NZ took the Jarvis family there between 1990 and 1994.

 Richard Lee, Sc'85, a Vancouver-based running coach, has coached fellow alumnus Dylan Wykes in preparation for the 2012 Olympics. Richard, a former varsity track and field athlete, also coached his wife, Sue, to an eighth-place finish in the women's 10,000 metres at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, one of Canada's best international results in long-distance running.

Stefanie Reid, Artsci'06, is a long jumper and sprinter. A former rugby player, Stef lost her right foot in a boating accident as a teenager. While studying at Queen's, she switched her focus to track and field, competing for the varsity team by her fourth year. Stef represented Canada in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games where she won bronze in the 200-metre dash; she is representing Great Britain in the upcoming 2012 Paralympic Games.

Michael Wilkinson, Sc'08, Artsci'09, is competing at the Olympic level in rowing for the first time, alongside fellow alumnus Morgan Jarvis. Michael's performance at the 2011 World Championships in the men's double sculls earned Canada an entry into the event at this year's games. Michael's sister Lauren is also competing in this year's Olympics as a member of the women's eight crew.

Dylan Wykes, MSc '11, is competing for Canada in the men's marathon. Dylan has been running competitively since high school and set a personal best of 2:10:47 at the recent Rotterdam Marathon. He now trains with a small group of runners in Vancouver under the guidance of his coach, Queen's alumnus and former track and field varsity star Richard Lee.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former Bison Desiree Scott hits milestone with 50 appearances with Canada women’s soccer team during third match at London 2012 Summer Olympics

Source: Manitoba Sports Info

At the London 2012 Summer Olympics, former Manitoba Bisons player and Bison coach Desiree Scott was in the starting lineup for Canada women’s soccer team in the third match of the international event and now hits a milestone as she has made 50 appearances for Team Canada.

This was Scott’s third match at the Olympics as Canada drew with the 2011 Women’s World Cup bronze medallist Sweden by a tied score of 2-2. Scott played the whole match at the midfielder position for Canada and has played every minute so far for Canada at the Olympics.

With the draw, Canada is one of the eight teams advancing to the quarter-final phase. The quarter-final matches are on August 3, the semi-final matches are on August 6, and the final medal matches are on August 9.

The Winnipeg native has gained vast experience with the Canadian national team over the last four years. In addition to her 50 appearances for Canada, her national resume includes: Canada Soccer Female Player of the Month for January 2012 after helping Canada qualify for the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament while earning three-straight “Player of the Match” honours; started four of five games (played in all five) and started both of the playoff matches at the 2012 Pan Am Games, which Canada won gold; she became the first Manitoba-trained player to participate in a FIFA Women's World Cup - the world's biggest women's sporting event. Scott played in two 2011 World Cup games, after being selected to the 21 player roster; Scott played for Canada in back-to-back wins at the Cyprus Women’s Cup in 2011 and 2010 plus part of two CONCACAF championships (gold in 2010 and silver).

The 2009-10 Bison Sports Female Athlete of the Year, Scott made a huge imprint on the Manitoba Bisons women’s soccer program as a player during her illustrious five-year career (2005-09). She earned four total conference All-Star recognition (First Team: 2008, 2009; Second Team: 2005, 2006) along with being named 2005 Canada West Rookie of the Year plus 2009, 2008 CIS First Team All-Canadian. The midfielder registered the most points and assists in a Bison career with 56 points (31 goals, 25 assists) in 64 conference regular season games. Scott also was part of the Bison women’s soccer coaching staff as an assistant coach during the 2011 season and plans to be back to the same Bison program after the Olympics.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UBC's Brent Hayden Wins Olympic Bronze Medal

Source: UBC Sports Info

London, England - Former UBC Thunderbird swimmer Brent Hayden (Mission, BC) won a bronze medal in the men's 100m freestyle today at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
 
Hayden finished in a time of 47.80, just behind gold medalist Nathan Adrian from the United States and silver medalist James Magnussen of Australia.
 
"It's amazing right now," said Hayden immediatley following the racel. "You always have that doubt in the back of your mind, but then something comes forward and you realize you have an equal shot just like everyone else, so you just go for it."
 
Reaching the podium in his specialty is the culmination of an outstanding career in the pool. Previously the World Champion in the 100m freestyle in 2007 and a silver medalist in the same event at the 2011 World Championships, Hayden was seeking revenge in his third and final Olympics after failing to make the final in the 100m freestyle in 2008 in Beijing.
 
"I couldn't afford to hold anything back," said Hayden. "With 25 metres left, it hurt, but I was saying to myself this could be the last 100m freestyle race of my career so all I was doing was going for it."
 
The bronze medal will make his wedding on August 19 even more special, especially considering how important his fiancee has been to his success.
 
"My fiancee is here and she was in Shanghai last year when I won a silver, so there is no doubt she is my lucky charm."
 
Hayden has one last race left at the Olympics. He will take part in the 4x100m medley relay on Friday.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

McGill swim grad Poon misses medal round in 50 free

Source: McGill Sports Info

LONDON, England – Victoria Poon of LaSalle, Que., was 15th in the women's 50-metre freestyle semifinals, Friday, and did not advance to the medal round at the Summer Olympics.  The 24-year-old McGill University graduate was clocked in 25.17 seconds after qualifying in 25.15 during her preliminary heat. Her morning time was just 0.15 seconds off the Canadian record set by Jennifer Beckberger in 2009, before the banning of the high-tech polyurethane swimsuits. The top-16 advance.

Poon’s evening time resulted in a sixth-place finish in a heat won by Marleen Veldhuis of the Netherlands, in 24.50. Teammate Ranomi Kromowidjojo finished atop the other heat in 24.07. The Dutch duo are seeded third and fourth, respectively, for the final, slated for Saturday, when the swimming portion of the Games wraps up. The USA’s Jessica Hardy (24.68) and British sprinter Francesca Halsall (24.63) are the top-two seeds.

Poon, who finished 30th in the same event at the Beijing Games after coming down with a bout of chicken pox, is one of two McGill grads that have no competitions remaining in London. She joins beach volleyballer Marie-Andrée Lessard of LaSalle, Que., on the sidelines.

Four McGillians remain in the Games, including rowing grads Doug Vandor of Dewittville, Que., and Derek O'Farrell of Montreal, both of whom will compete in consolation races on Saturday. Vandor is in the C final (4:40 a.m. Eastern) of the men's lightweight double sculls, in a race for 13th place overall. O'Farrell will be in the men's four B final (5:30 a.m.) and can finish no higher than seventh place.

Wrestler Martine Dugrenier, a McGill grad and native of Laval, Que., is scheduled for her inaugural bout in the women's 63 kg weight class on Aug. 8 at 1 p.m. Synchronized swimmer Jo-Annie Fortin, a Montreal native who will enter McGill as a psychology freshman in September, begins her competition on Aug. 9 (10 a.m.).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Former Bison Desiree Scott wins Olympic bronze medal with Canada women’s soccer team after 1-0 victory over France in bronze medal match at London 2012 Summer Olympics

In her sixth consecutive Olympic match, Scott plays whole game and saves goal in win

At the London 2012 Summer Olympics, former Manitoba Bisons player and Bison coach Desiree Scott was in the starting lineup for Canada women’s soccer team when they captured a Olympic bronze medal with a thrilling last-minute 1-0 victory over France in the bronze medal match at Coventry on Thursday, August 9.

This was Scott’s sixth consecutive match at the Olympics and she played every minute for Canada during the Olympics. Scott played an integral role as she saved a sure France goal with her knee on the Canadian goal line at the 70th minute to preserve a tie game at the time. She has now made 53 appearances with Team Canada over her career.

In addition, Canadian Olympic history was made as this becomes the first team medal since 1936 men’s basketball.

The Winnipeg native has gained vast experience with the Canadian national team over the last four years. Her national resume includes: Canada Soccer Female Player of the Month for January 2012 after helping Canada qualify for the London 2012 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament while earning three-straight “Player of the Match” honours; started four of five games (played in all five) and started both of the playoff matches at the 2012 Pan Am Games, which Canada won gold; she became the first Manitoba-trained player to participate in a FIFA Women's World Cup - the world's biggest women's sporting event. Scott played in two 2011 World Cup games, after being selected to the 21 player roster; Scott played for Canada in back-to-back wins at the Cyprus Women’s Cup in 2011 and 2010 plus part of two CONCACAF championships (gold in 2010 and silver).

The 2009-10 Bison Sports Female Athlete of the Year, Scott made a huge imprint on the Manitoba Bisons women’s soccer program as a player during her illustrious five-year career (2005-09). She earned four total conference All-Star recognition (First Team: 2008, 2009; Second Team: 2005, 2006) along with being named 2005 Canada West Rookie of the Year plus 2009, 2008 CIS First Team All-Canadian. The midfielder registered the most points and assists in a Bison career with 56 points (31 goals, 25 assists) in 64 conference regular season games. Scott also was part of the Bison women’s soccer coaching staff as an assistant coach during the 2011 season and plans to be back to the same Bison program after the Olympics.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brock University's Verbeek captures Olympic silver

LONDON, ENGLAND - Former Brock University women's wrestler and Badgers assistant coach Tonya Verbeek captured her third Olympic medal with a silver medal performance at the Excel Centre Thursday afternoon in London.

"Today Tonya cemented her legacy as one of the greatest female wrestlers in Canadian history," said Brock University Director of Athletics Robert Hilson. "Today she provided the Brock University and Niagara community with a day they will remember for the rest of their lives."

Verbeek lost the gold medal match to Japan's Saori Yoshida, a three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and nine-time World Champion at 55kg.

She finished the 2012 Olympic games with a 3-1 overall record having posted victories over Geeta Geeta (IND), Tetyana Lazareva (UKR) and Jackeline Renteria Castillo (COL) in the semi-finals.

"I am happy to bring home a silver for Canada in women's wrestling," said Brock University's Tonya Verbeek. "I have been through a lot of ups and downs, but at the end of the day I am happy with what I have done. I gave it my all and I just love the sport of wrestling and what it has done for me. I would just like to thank all those who have supported me in my career. I will not be competing at another Olympics but I am not taking off my boots today. I have the World Championships coming up in September." 

With the silver medal, Verbeek becomes the most decorated Olympic female wrestler in Canadian history having collected two silver (2004, 2012) and one bronze medal (2008). She also has three world medals. She is also one of the top female athlete in Brock University history.

"It is a well deserved medal and she trained so hard for it," said Olympic training partner Michelle Fazzari. "It is amazing that she has been a three-time Olympic medalist. Tonya has made our country proud and inspired people all around the world."

In her 19-year wrestling career Verbeek has accomplished far more than she ever expected when she began wrestling in 1993 at Beamsville High School.

In the world of women's sport, Verbeek has become a true inspiration and Canadian role model. She is an athlete, a teacher, a coach and a professional speaker teaching many what it is like to compete at the highest level of amateur sport, but more important that what ever you do in life you can reach your goals if you set them.

Reaching the podium for the third time in her illustrious career is a truly remarkable story about a girl from a small hometown that took up a new sport in high school, persevered through injuries and has excelled on every international stage.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UVic swimmer Richard Weinberger earned Olympic bronze in the men's open water 10-km marathon swim

Source: Victoria Sports Info

University of Victoria Vikes swimmer Richard Weinberger (Surrey, B.C.) took the 2011-12 varsity season off with one thing on his mind - a medal in London. The 22-year-old open-water swimmer did just that, earning a bronze, Canada's 17th medal of the games, in the men's 10-km marathon swim, held at Hyde Park.

Weinberger finished in one hour, 50 minutes and 0.30 seconds behind gold-medal winner Oussama Mellouli (1:49:55.10) of Tunisia. Mellouli also took home the bronze in the men's 1500-m freestyle in the pool, just 0.68 seconds behind Vikes silver medallist Ryan Cochrane (Victoria).

Germany's Thomas Lurz picked up the silver medal in 1:49:58.50, while reigning world championSpyridon Gianniotis, of Greece, took fourth in 1:50:05.30.

The 10-km swim was introduced into the Olympics in 2008 and Weinberger becomes the first Canadian to win a medal in the open-water event. Ron Jacks, Weinberger's coach and former Olympian, was also the coach of one of the world's best open-water swimmers at the time, Greg Streppel.

With the bronze medal, Weinberger becomes the sixth athlete of the nine former or current Vikes participating in London to bring home a medal for Canada. Victoria's Cochrane in the men's 1500-m freestyle, men's eight rowers Doug Csima and Gabe Bergen, as well as women's eight rowers Darcy Marquardt and Rachelle Viinberg all earned silver medals at the London games.