BAGSHAW LEADS TEAM FOR YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES

(ISN) – Victoria swimmer Jeremy Bagshaw has been selected flag bearer for the 60-member Canadian team who will compete in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, which run August 14 to 26 in Singapore.

Also on the team are Katelyn Hayward of Victoria, athletics; Brook Powell of Victoria, triathlon; and Christine Ridenour, Cowichan Bay, triathlon.

Born in Singapore, Bagshaw  moved with his family to Victoria at the age of five. There, he competes with the Island Swimming Club and holds the national record in the 400-metre freestyle (age group 15-17).

He has been competing nationally since 2004 and said he aims to reach the podium in Singapore and suit up for Canada again two years later at the London Olympic Games.

In Singapore Bagshaw will race in the 100, 200 and 400-metre free style.

“For me, being selected flag bearer is a huge honour,” said Bagshaw. “It would be an honour for any athlete, but I was born in Singapore and to lead Canada into the Games there makes me extremely proud. It will be incredible to lead all the athletes into a Games like this.”

Bagshaw told The Canadian Press that he will have about 30 cousins, aunts and uncles in the stands along with his parents. They all will be dressed in Canadian colours and waving Maple Leafs.

“My parents are going to Singapore with a whole suitcase full of Canadian gear,” the 18-year-old said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

“It’s the first time I have ever competed there. I get to compete in front of my family, which is something I always wanted.”

These Games represent a new brand of the Olympic Movement, and will include all current 26 Olympic summer sports, as well as new mixed-gender events and new formats such as three-on-three basketball, head to head canoe-kayak and a combination of BMX, mountain biking and road biking.

Canada’s 60 athletes will participate in 18 sports, supported by 23 coaches and eight mission team members.

They represent six provinces as well as the Yukon Territory.

The Games will attract 3,600 athletes between the age of 14 and 18 from 200 countries competing in 26 sports.

NANOOSE ATHLETE ON THE ROAD TO 2012 OLYMPICS

World junior high jump champion Mike Mason of Nanoose Bay has been slected as a Phase 1 member of the Athletics Canada Team 2012 Program.

A student at the University of British Columbia he will be training at the High Performance Centre in Calgary under coach Larry Blaschuk. Lead coach is Les Gramantik.

Also selected was Canadian 1500m champion Nathan Brannen of Cambrudge, ON, who will train with coach Ron Warhurst at the High Performance Centre in Victoria. Lead coach is Wynn Gmitroski.

Team 2012 is a dynamic program where an athlete can be selected or deselected to the team at scheduled assessment and evaluation points.

“It’s important to note that performance, improvement and consistency over the next three years determines selection and support,” said Alex Gardiner, Olympic Program Head Coach.

“The program was initiated to identify, select and support the athletes, and their coaches, who can finish on the podium and in the Top eight at the London 2012 Olympic Games.”

The Program is led and coordinated by Athletics Canada through its National Centres, Gardiner said.

“Our mandate, supported by Own the Podium, is to ensure athlete and coach programs and preparation are world class in quality and delivery.”

In addition to ongoing contributions from Sport Canada’s athlete assistance program the members of Team 2012 are also eligible for additional program support from Athletics Canada.

The next evaluation of the Team 2012 roster will take place March 1, 2010 with four more scheduled evaluations to take place in the lead in to the London Olympic Games.

Athletics Canada is the national governing body for track and field, cross country, road running and road racing.