TEAM CANADA OPENING PRESS CONFERENCE HELD TODAY
The Canadian Team at the Commonwealth Games held its opening news conference at the Main Press Centre. The event included remarks from Canada's Chef de Mission Chantal Petitclerc, boxing team member Custio Clayton, mountain bike cycling coach Ian Hughes, Canada's Minister of State (Sport), the Honourable Bal Gosal, and Scott Stevenson, Canada's General Team Manager in Glasgow. "It is a privilege and an honour to be Canada's Chef de Mission here at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games", said Petitclerc. "I hold incredible memories of my experiences at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games; these Games are truly unique."
General Team Manager Scott Stevenson provided a number of interesting details on the Team's make-up, including:
- Canada has a total of 265 athletes in Glasgow
- 146 rookies (these are theiir first Commonwealth Games)
- Youngest athlete: Isabela Onyshko, 16 - Artistic Gymnastics
- Oldest athlete: Al Hanet, 78, Lawn Bowls Para-Sport B2/B3 Mixed Pairs
- 20 medallists from Delhi (including 4 gold)
- 14 athletes were at the Youth Commonwealth Games in the Isle of Man in 2011
- Athletes who have been to most Commonwealth Games = Susan Nattrass: 4 (Auckland 1990, Manchester 2002, Melbourne 2006, Delhi 2010) and Metodi Igorov (shooting): 4 (Kuala Lumpur 1998, Manchester 2002, Melbourne 2006, Delhi 2010)
- This is the largest team Canada has ever fielded for a non-home Games
Photo by Dan Galbaith: L to R - Communications Chief Sylvie Bigras, Chef de Mission Chantal Petitclerc, Custio Clayton (Athlete, boxing), Ian Hughes (Coach, cycling), the Honourable Bal Gosal (Minister of State, Sport), General Team Manager Scott Stevenson.
