Jessica Parry named Canada's flag bearer for Pune 2008
October 6, 2008
TORONTO - Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) today announced that Canadian junior 800m and 1500m athletics champion Jessica Parry of London, Ontario has been named Canada's flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India.
The Games open on Saturday, October 12 and runs through October 20 at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports City, a 153-acre sports complex in the Maharashtra province of India.
Parry leads the Canadian delegation of 59 athletes and 17 coaches into the Games that pits 1300 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations and territories in competition during the eight day event.
“I am surprised, excited and incredibly honoured to be the flag bearer at the Commonwealth Youth Games,” said the 17-year old Catholic Central student. “I look forward to representing Canada with pride carrying the flag into the stadium for the opening ceremony.”
“Jessica was the unanimous choice for our selection committee,” commented Chef de Mission Shawnee Scatliff. “She is highly recommended by her national sport federation, is a Canadian record holder and has international experience, three important qualities we were looking for in a flag bearer.”
Parry represented Canada at the 2008 IAAF World Junior Championships in Athletics in July, where she set a Canadian junior record in the 800m event, finishing in a time of 2:06.72. She ran the second leg on Canada’s 4x400m relay team that finished eighth in the final.
A double gold medalist at the Canadian Junior championships this past July, she won the
800m title in 2:07.71 and the 1500m crown in 4:21.23. She will race in both events as well as the 4x400m relay in Pune.
Coached by former national team members Dave Mills and Janet Takahashi, Parry comes from a solid athletics family. Her grandfather, Jack Parry, was a member of Canada’s 1948 Olympic athletics team, but did not compete in the Games due to an injury suffered just prior to the start of the London Games.
Jessica Parry is scheduled to begin competing on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:30 p.m. (9:00 a.m. EDT) with the 1500m final followed by the 800m heats, on Wednesday, October 15 at at 7:55 p.m. (10:25 a.m. EDT). She wraps up the Games as a member of Canada’s 4x400m women’s relay team on Thursday, October 16 at 6:55 p.m. (9:25 a.m. EDT).
When Parry parades Canada into the opening ceremony, it will be the first time that the country will field a full team at the Commonwealth Youth Games.
“We are pleased to sending a team of 58 athletes to India,” said Dr. Andrew Pipe, President of Commonwealth Games Canada. “The objective of the Pune Games is to prepare our young Canadian athletes for future success on the international scene including the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.”
"With just six days to go before the opening ceremony, the excitement surrounding the team is palpable. We look forward to boarding the plane tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10 am and embark on our 23-hour trek,” said Scatliff.
About Commonwealth Games Canada
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is a not-for-profit multi-sport organization that is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games. Since 1930, CGC has been strengthening sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a tool for development.
For further information about Team Canada, the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games, 2010 Commonwealth Games or our International Development through Sport programs, please visit our web site at www.commonwealthgames.ca.
For more information, please contact:
John Bower
Manager of Communications
Commonwealth Games Canada
613 244-6868 Ext. 230
819 921-8149 (cell)
john@commonwealthgames.ca
