The FISU Games start on August 8th, with a strong Canadian delegation. Athletes and staff are drawn from both the CIS and the CCAA. Athletes in the college system are eligible, and able to compete in the FISU Games. Another fine source of athletes! I see that there is one Canadian woman who plays in the NCAA on the volleyball team. Too bad we weren't able to keep her in Canada at university. Perhaps with the "new" rules about funding, athletes like her can stay here. Their education is as good, if not better, and some post-secondary institutions have better reputations in certain sports than others. And, of course, highly-educated and excellent coaches are a plus at Canadian universitites.
http://www.cisport.ca/e/international/universiade/bangkok_2007/
Follow the team at the url above.
The Canadian synchro duet and team placed second at the Pan American Games, and are now preparing for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Beijing April 13, 2008. The winner of each event at the PAG qualified for the Olympics, so the American duet and team have now qualified. There are pluses and minuses to this situation for Canada. The chief minus is that the during year till April the athletes won't know if they are going to the Olympics. Chief among the pluses is that at the OQT, Canada and the other nations that have NOT qualified will swim competitively in the Olympic pool with the Chinese fans in attendance. For those that DO qualify for the Olys, they will have had a competition pool experience.
We wish the Canadian synchro athletes well in their pursuit of an Olympic medal!
