Canadian Olympians draw from Commonwealth Games experience

Canadian Olympians draw from Commonwealth Games experience

As Canada’s Olympic Team makes final preparations for the start of the London Games later this week, close to 100 athletes and coaches will be drawing on the competitive advantage they’ve gained from experience at the Commonwealth Games.

Sixty-eight athletes and 26 coaches on the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team are also Commonwealth Games alumni. Amongst them is Jessica Zelinka (Calgary, AB), one of Canada’s brightest track and field stars, who will compete in the 7-event Heptathlon and the 100-metre hurdles in London.

She is a two-time Commonwealth Games veteran, finishing fourth in the Heptathlon at the 2006 Games in Melbourne, Australia and grabbing the silver medal in Delhi, India in 2010.

"I consider myself very fortunate to have competed at two Commonwealth Games,” says Zelinka. “Those experiences have taught me what it takes to reach the podium at a world-class, multi-sport event and I'm taking that knowledge—and that confidence—into London."

Canada has high hopes for big performances in the pool as well. Swimming Canada CEO, Pierre Lafontaine (Chelsea, QC), looks at major international competitions like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games as key points along a continuum, with one flowing right into the next.

"The Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games were essential to our preparations for London," he says. "And these Olympic Games are a pivotal stepping stone towards our goal of winning the swim competition at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014."

Commonwealth Games Canada congratulates all 2012 Canadian Olympians and wishes them good luck and winning performances in London.

About Commonwealth Games Canada

Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth sport movement in Canada and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of Commonwealth Games Canada is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool.

For more information, contact:

Scott Stevenson
Director of Sport
Commonwealth Games Canada
(613) 244-6868 ext. 224
scott@commonwealthgames.ca
www.commonwealthgames.ca.