| Canadian Para-swimmers takes on the World in RIO |
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"Local swimmer Morgan Bird to represent Canada in the pool." CALGARY (November 18, 2009) - Thirty members of the Canadian para-swimming team are set to compete at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Short Course Championships from November 29th to December 5th. These inaugural championships will be the first time Canadian swimmers face the world after the Beijing Paralympics. "The Short Course World Championships are a very important stepping stone towards the 2010 Long Course worlds in August," said Para-swimming National Coach, Craig McCord. According to McCord, the Short Course World Championships, which will see para-swimmers compete in a 25-metre pool setting, are integral to the overall build up of international competitions heading towards the London Paralympics in 2012. "Every event in the Paralympic program is offered at a World Championship and it will give us an opportunity to get a glimpse of all the classes in the world in Rio and will let us know how we will fare against the rest of the challenging countries," added McCord. Canada has a long history of international success in the pool in para-swimming events. In past two Paralympic Games, Canada has produced over 60 medals. Three-time paralympian Benoit Huot of Montreal, will be amongst the veterans competing in Rio. "I'm looking forward to this meet," said Huot. "All my top competitors will be ready to swim fast. It's going to be quite exciting to get back into the international arena." The World Short Course Team will have a good mixture of 11 veterans and 19 first-time international competitors. "Our objective is to provide continued support for the 2012 podium potential swimmers but also provide valuable experience for the first timers who will most likely be strong competitors for a spot on the 2012 Paralympic Team," said McCord. Veterans such as Stephanie Dixon of Victoria, Benoit Huot of Montreal, Amber Thomas of Drayton Valley, Alberta, and Devin Gotell of Antigonish will be targeting podium finishes yet McCord is not ruling out any breakthrough performances by the younger swimmers. Full coverage of the 2009 IPC World SC Championships will be available on Paralympic Sport TV on the internet at www.paralympicsport.tv. 2009 IPC World SC Championships Team Roster Men: Devin Gotell (Hamilton, ON); Alex Parent (Hamilton, ON); Nathan Stein (Maple Ridge, BC); Brian Hill (Montreal, QC); Benoît Huot (Montreal, QC); Marc-Olivier Marchand (Montréal, QC); Kyle McMahon (Prince George, BC); Jean-Michel Lavallière (Québec. QC); Danial Murphy (Sackville, NS); Ronald Tang (Scarborough, ON); Nicholas Lapointe (Victoria, BC) Women: Morgan Bird (Calgary, AB); Amber Thomas (Drayton Valley, AB); Camille Bérubé (Gatineau, QC); Chelsey Gotell (Hamilton, ON); Jenna Lambert (Kingston, ON); Stephanie McDougall (Maple Ridge, C.-B.); Cynthia Berringer (Mississauga, ON); Anne Polinario (Montreal, QC); Maxime-Valérie Olivier (Montréal, QC); Krystal Shaw (Moose Jaw, SK); Brianna Jennet-McNeill (Ottawa, ON); Sarah Mailhot (Québec, QC); Jessica Roberge (Rouyn-Noranda, QC); Sarah Mehain (Vernon, C.-B.); Stephanie Dixon (Victoria, C.-B. ); Brianna Nelson (Victoria, C.-B.); Jessica Hodgins (Windsor, ON); Jenna Skieneh (Windsor, ON); Catherine Mitchell (Winnipeg, MB) Bios are available on the internet at: www.swimming.ca/2009IPCSwimmingWorldChampionships25mTeam |
