Sunny finish to summer season
The international summer sports season is ending in triumph for the resurgent Canadian team at the world track and field championships in Beijing, even though Island Olympians Cam Levins and Michael Mason suffered earlyround exits in the distance events and high jump, respectively.
Canadian sports officials hope the momentum from Canada’s seven world track and field medals, good enough for ninth overall, will be carried forward as two Olympic qualifiers for Rio 2016 begin this week.
The heavily Island-tinged national rowing team begins its quest today at the 2015 world championships on Lac d’Aiguebelette, France, which double as the official Olympic qualifier for Rio 2016.
Canada’s hopes in men’s rest with two Elk Lakebased crews. The four consists of Kai Langerfeld of Parksville, Tim Schrijver and 2012 London silver-medallists Conlin McCabe and Will Crothers. The quad has Matt Buie, Julien Bahain, Will Dean and 2012 London silver-medallist Rob Gibson.
The 2014 world championship silver-medallist Canadian women’s lightweight doubles crew of Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee, both of Victoria, are looking to overcome a disappointing start to the season.
GM Steve Nash of Victoria leads the Canadian contingent into Monterrey, Mexico, for the FIBA Americas men’s basketball qualifier. With nine NBA players on the national team — including NBA rookie of the year Andrew Wiggins, Nik Stauskas from the 76ers, Kelly Olynyk from the Celtics, Andrew Nicholson from the Magic and Anthony Bennett from the T-Wolves — this is hailed as the Golden Generation.
Nash, the retired twotime NBA MVP out of St. Michaels University School, takes a literal handon GM approach and even shags balls during Canadian team warm-ups.
“I’m pleased with the team’s progress,” head coach Jay Triano said in a statement. “We showed toughness and willingness to win [in going 4-0 in the recent Continental Cup in Puerto Rico].”
Canada opens Tuesday against Argentina with other Group B games against Cuba, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. The toptwo out of the FIBA Americas advance to Rio. All Canadian games will be televised by TSN.
Two Island bests fell in Canada’s performance at the world track and field championships at the Bird’s Nest. Former Victoria runner Diane Cummins’ longstanding Canadian record from 2001 tumbled as Victoria Track Classic regular Melissa Bishop of Ottawa swept to the women’s 800metre silver medal. Cummins was fifth at Edmonton 2001 for Canada’s previous best showing.
Also eclipsed was University of Victoria Sports Hall of Fame inductee Carey Nelson’s previous Canadian-best 15th place in the 5,000 metres, from Rome 1987, which was beaten by Ontario-based runner Mohammed Ahmed’s 12thplace finish Saturday.