Press Release
Friday,
February 20, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Canadian
women’s epee fencing team qualifies for Athens
Olympics
TAUBERBISCHOFSHEIM – For
the first time in fencing history Canada will be sending a women’s epee team to
the Olympics.
Despite
Canada’s first round loss 45-39 to France at
the Würth Cup in Tauberbischofsheim,
Germany today, the moment Team USA lost their first match to China, Canada had
their Athens Olympic ticket in hand.
Canada
went on to defeat Greece 35-32, lose to Ukraine 45-37 and in their last match
beat Italy 45-39 to finish 11th.
France,
needing gold to qualify for Athens, defied all odds winning the competition with
a convincing 45-27 victory over Germany.
China captured the bronze defeating Hungary.
Canada
team members Sherraine MacKay of Brooks, Alta., Monique Kavelaars of Appin,
Ont., Montreal’s Julie Leprohon, Marie-Eve Pelletier from Quebec City and
Catherine Dunnette of Calgary, Alta., got the job done this year and are
honoured to be in on something so special.
“I’m really proud to be part of the first Canadian team in history to
qualify for the Olympics,” said Dunnette.
The
Canadians will now focus on securing their own spots on the National
team.
Kavelaars
pointed out, “We all played a big role in qualifying, all five of us will be
there in spirit even though only three of us will get to go.”
The 9 countries that will compete in women’s epee for gold this
summer are Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Russia, China, Korea, South Africa and
hosts, Greece.
Team
captain, Sherraine MacKay believes that they can compete with the best. “We are
a team that every country in the world takes seriously now … and that’s all it
takes to be successful in the Olympics.
Watch out for us in Athens!”
Contact:
Geordie
MacKay
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