Olympic and World bronze medallist Derek Drouin, two time silver-medallist Brianne Theisen-Eaton and World bronze medallist Damian Warner among those named today
Athletics Canada
OTTAWA – Athletics Canada, the national governing body for track and field, cross country, road running and road racing, nominated a contingent of 50 athletes today to Commonwealth Games Canada. The 2014 Commonwealth Games take place in Glasgow, Scotland July 23 to August 3 and will be the largest ever multi-sport event held on Scottish soil. Athletics competition at the Commonwealth Games will take place at Hampden Park Stadium July 27 through August 2.
Headlining Athletics Canada’s nominations is 2012 Olympic and 2013 World Championship bronze medallist Derek Drouin of Corunna, Ont. This season Derek improved the Canadian record when he surpassed the 2.40-metres mark, one of only ten in history to have cleared that magical barrier. Two-time World Championship silver medallist Brianne Theisen-Eaton of Humboldt, Sask., is looking to add a Commonwealth Games title to her already impressive résumé. Damian Warner of London, Ont., is another one to keep a close eye on; he won bronze in the decathlon at the 2013 World Championships.
Head Coach Peter Eriksson on the squad, “I am very proud of the team selected. Our team objective is to surpass the results from the 2010 edition of the Games where we won 17 medals (7 gold, 2 silver and 8 bronze). In 2010, 84 percent of the team finished in the top eight. The team is a healthy mix of young blood and experienced athletes, they are focused on what it will take to get the job done.”
“I am very excited to see the athletics team compete in Glasgow, the sport that brought me so many memories throughout the years”, comments Chantal Petitclerc, Chef de mission for Team Canada. “As an athlete, the Commonwealth Games were one of my favourite competitions and I am looking forward to new memories supporting athletes from the other side of the track.” Chantal herself is a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist in the T54 800-metres from the 2002 and 2006 Games.
The team nominees includes seven medallists from past Commonwealth Games; Josh Cassidy, Sultana Frizell, Carline Muir, Diane Roy, James Steacy, Angela Whyte, and Jessica Zelinka.
“The competition on the track and in the field in Glasgow will generate a tremendous amount of excitement, and we look forward to our Canadian athletes being right in the mix”, said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “Congratulations to the members of this Athletics team who are primed and ready to continue the tradition of excellence at the Commonwealth Games.”
Athletics Canada Commonwealth Games nominees:
Men
Name | Event | Hometown | Personal Coach |
Mohammed Ahmed | 10,000m | St. Catharines, ON | Mick Byrne/Sharon Stewart |
Shawnacy Barber | Pole Vault | Toronto, ON | George Barber/Dennis Mitchell |
Daundre Barnaby | 4x400m Relay | Brampton, ON | Desai Williams/Anthony McCleary |
Aaron Brown | 100m | Toronto, ON | Caryl Smith Gilbert/Bill Stephens |
Josh Cassidy | T54 – 1500m | Ottawa, ON | Amanda Fader |
Jared Connaughton | 4x100m Relay | New Haven, PEI | Monte Stratton |
Andre De Grasse | 200m | Markham, ON | Tony Sharpe |
Derek Drouin | High Jump | Corunna, ON | Jeff Huntoon/Joel Skinner |
Alexandre Dupont | T54 – 1500m | Bradwell, SK | Rick Reelie |
Matthew Hughes | 3,000m Steeple | Oshawa, ON | Wynn Gmitroski |
Cameron Levins | 10,000m | Black Creek, BC | Alberto Salazar |
Oluwasegun Makinde | 4x100m Relay | Ottawa, ON | Glenroy Gilbert |
Michael Mason | High Jump | Abbotsford, BC | Zbigniew Szelagowicz |
Brandon McBride | 800m | Windsor, ON | Chris Scarrow |
Taylor Milne | 3,000m Steeple | Guelph, ON | Dave Scott-Thomas |
Tim Nedow | Shot Put | Brockville, ON | Darrin Reesal/Anatoliy Bondarchuk |
Philip Osei | 4x400m Relay | Toronto, ON | Desai Williams/Anthony McCleary |
Michael Robertson | 4x400m Relay | Williamstown, ON | Glenroy Gilbert |
Justin Rodhe | Shot Put | Kamloops, BC | |
Brendon Rodney | 200m | Toronto, ON | Martin Douglas |
Dontae Richards-Kwok | 4x100m Relay | Toronto, ON | Desai Williams/Anthony McCleary |
Gavin Smellie | 200m | Etobicoke, ON | Desai Williams |
James Steacy | Hammer Throw | Lethbridge, AB | Larry Steinke |
Damian Warner | Decathlon | London, ON | Gar Leyshon/Vickie Croley |
Chris Winter | 3,000m Steeple | Vancouver, BC | Dave Scott-Thomas |
Women
Name | Event | Hometown | Personal Coach |
Karine Belleau-Béliveau | 800m | Montreal, QC | Jean-Yves Cloutier |
Khamica Bingham | 100m | Caledon, ON | Desai Williams/Frank Bucca |
Melissa Bishop | 800m | Eganville, ON | Dennis Fairall |
Shai-Anne Davis | 200m | Richmond, BC | Desai Williams/Anthony McCleary |
Fawn Dorr | 4x400m Relay | Marten River, ON | Dr. Marco |
Crystal Emmanuel | 200m | East York, ON | Desai Williams |
Sultana Frizell | Hammer Throw | Perth, ON | Derek Evely |
Phylicia George | 4x100m Relay | Markham, ON | Anthony McCleary |
Elizabeth Gleadle | Javelin | Vancouver, BC | Larry Steinke |
Kimberly Hyacinthe | 200m | Lachenaie, QC | Desai Williams/Anthony McCleary |
Julie Labonté | Shot Put | Ste-Justine, QC | Craig Carter/Daniel Labonté |
Lanni Marchant | Marathon | London, ON | Dave Mills |
Noelle Montcalm | 400mH | Belle River, ON | Don Garrod |
Carline Muir | 4x400m Relay | Edmonton, ON | Lance Brauman |
Christabel Nettey | Long Jump | Surrey, BC | Dan Pfaff |
Alysha Newman | Pole Vault | Delaware, ON | Zdenek Krykorka/Jerel Langley |
Jessica O’Connell | 5,000m | Calgary, AB | Mike Van Tighem |
Diane Roy | T54 – 1500m | Sherbrooke, QC | Jean Laroche |
Nicole Sifuentes | 1500m | Winnipeg, MB | Mike McGuire |
Jessica Smith | 800m | North Vancouver, BC | Brit Townsend |
Chanice Taylor-Chase | 400mH | Ajax, ON | Percival Marsh |
Brianne Theisen-Eaton | Heptathlon | Humboldt, SK | Harry Marra |
Kate Van Buskirk | 1500m | Toronto, ON | Dave Reid |
Angela Whyte | 100mH | Edmonton, AB | Wayne Phipps |
Jessica Zelinka | Heptathlon | London, ON | Cliff Rovelto |
Even though they don’t have standard, Alicia Newman and James Steacy have been nominated to the team. Newman is currently ranked second in the Commonwealth in the women’s pole vault while Steacy is the top ranked hammer thrower in the Commonwealth. For more on the athletics team at the Commonwealth Games, including full selection process please click here.
A team of 265 athletes and close to 100 coaches and support staff will be in Glasgow, Canada’s largest Team ever fielded for a non-home Games. The entire Canadian Team, as well as the team’s flag bearer, will be officially announced by Commonwealth Games Canada in July 2014.
ABOUT ATHLETICS CANADA
Athletics Canada is the national governing body for track and field, cross country, road running and road racing. Through collective leadership Athletics Canada drives growth in participation, enables sustainable international podium performances and provides a positive experience for all involved in athletics and para-athletics.
ABOUT COMMONWEALTH GAMES CANADA
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the international franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of CGC is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool. Visit www.commonwealthgames.ca for information.