Source: Xinhua
02-16-2009 08:29
Special Report: Harbin 24th Winter UniversiadeHARBIN, Northeast China, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Canada will send their first ever long track speed skating team to the Winter Universiade here starting Wednesday, according to the InternationalUniversity Sports Federation (FISU) on Sunday.
The North American nation has announced a squad comprised of four male and four female student-skaters for the long track speed skating races, an optional sport at the past two Universiades.
Led by team leader and coach Gregor Jelonek and coach Todd McClements, the Canadian team will head to the Northeast Chinese city with star skaters Justine L'Heureux in the women's events and Philippe Riopel on the men's part.
L'Heureux was the silver medalist of the women's 1500 meters race at the 2007 world junior championships in Changchun, China, where Riopel won a silver medal in the men's 500 meters.
The Canadian skaters will compete in 500, 1000, 1500, 3000 and 5000 meters races but will not take part in the men's 10,000 metersnor the team pursuit events.
Located at Harbin Ice training Base, the Heilongjiang Speed Skating Gym will serve as the venue for the long track events of the 24th Winter Universiade, which is slated for Feb. 18-28 featuring in 12 sports and 81 events.
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Editor:Zheng Limin
