WRESTLING CANADA E-News July 2004

The 2004 Olympic Games are less than a month away.  Opening Ceremonies are on Friday August 13^th!  After a rigorous selection procedure including the 2003 Senior National Championships, 2003 Senior World Championships in New York, Canada’s Olympic Trials in Edmonton and a series of international qualification events, Canada’s team for the 2004 Olympic Games has been selected. 

In the premier Olympic event for women, Canada will be represented by Lyndsay Belisle at 48 kg, Tonya Verbeek at 55 kg, Viola Yanik at 63 kg and Christine Nordhagen at 72 kg.  Head Coach for the women will be Leigh Vierling and Assistant Coach will be Todd Hinds.  The Men’s Freestyle team will be comprised of Guivi Sissaouri at 60 kg, Evan MacDonald at 66 kg and Daniel Igali at 74 kg.  They will be lead by Head Coach David McKay and Assistant Coach Marty Calder.  Mike Payette will serve as Team Leader.  Lee MacKay has been named to the Officiating Team for these Olympic Games.  Biographies and photos of Canada’s 2004 Olympic Team can be found at http://www.wrestling.ca/athletes/olympicteam.php

 Photo caption: Front (L-R): Lyndsay Belisle, Viola Yanik, Tonya Verbeek; Back (L-R): Evan MacDonald, Christine Nordhagen, Guivi Sissaouri, Daniel Igali.

The Women’s event will be August 22-23 and the Freestyle Men’s event will be August 27-29.  The Greco Roman event will be August 24-26.  The complete Olympic schedule, as well as a history of wrestling at the Olympics, can be found at http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/sports/wrestling/
 
To support our Olympic Team and reward them for their Olympic performances, Wrestling Canada Lutte is featuring a set of three (gold, silver and bronze) lapel pins specially designed to commemorate the 2004 Olympic Games.  A donation to the ‘2004 Quest for Gold Fund’ will provide Canadian wrestling supporters with a gift and tax receipt.  This special recognition gift is available in limited quantities only on a first come, first served basis.  To support our 2004 Olympic Team and obtain your souvenir of the 2004 Olympic Games, please go to http://www.wrestling.ca/pdf/Quest2004Olympics.pdf

Please join us in wishing our 2004 Olympic Team all the best in their final preparations and in their participation at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens!