GYMNASTICS CANADA – Posted Thursday, June 4, 2015
TORONTO (June 4, 2015) On Thursday, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Gymnastics Canada announced the athletes who have been nominated to represent Canada in artistic and rhythmic gymnastics at the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games from July 10 to 26 this summer.
Anjelika Reznik and Katrina Cameron will bring their London 2012 Olympic Games experience to the rhythmic group competition where they will look to repeat their multiple podium performances from the 2011 Pan American Games. Six-timeCommonwealth Games medallist and current Canadian champion, Patricia Bezzoubenko, will headline the individual competition.
The individual and group rhythmic gymnastics competitions will take place at the Toronto Coliseum from July 17 to 20.
The artistic gymnastics competition will also take place at the Toronto Coliseum from July 11 to 15 and will include Team, Individual All-Around, and Apparatus finals for men and women. Leading the women’s artistic team will be London 2012 veteran Ellie Black who is currently ranked top-8 in the world on the beam. The men’s team includes Commonwealth Games gold medallists Kevin Lytwyn and Scott Morgan who will be looking to reach the podium in front of the Canadian crowd.
Canada will field the largest team in its Pan American Games history with more than 700 athletes expected to be named to the Team at the Games in Toronto. With TORONTO 2015 providing a “Home Games” experience, as well as a number of qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, these Games will offer a tremendous experience for Canada’s high performance athletes.
QUOTES
“Canada has a very strong gymnastics team and I have full confidence in their ability to deliver and do their country proud this summer in the Golden Horseshoe. Congratulations to all the athletes that made the team.” Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee
“These are medal-winning teams that are made up of incredible athletes who are determined and focused to win. I am absolutely confident that these men and women will make our country proud. Congratulations to all of the gymnastics nominees announced today.” Curt Harnett, TORONTO 2015 Team Canada Chef de Mission
“The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games are an amazing opportunity for our athletes and coaches to display the hard work, dedication, and talent that goes in to becoming world-class gymnasts. The opportunity for these athletes to display their artistry and physical strength to a hometown crowd is an amazing experience, and will be something they will remember forever.” Peter Nicol, President and CEO, Gymnastics Canada “I’m extremely excited and privileged to be representing Canada at the upcoming Pan Am Games in our hometown. I’m very thankful for the continued support from Gymnastics Canada, my coaches, my family, my friends, and my past/present teammates. I hope all of the years of hard work dedicated to my sport will be demonstrated at these Games.” Katrina Cameron, London 2012 Olympian, Singapore 2010 Youth Olympian, three-time Pan Am Games medallist
“I am so excited and honoured to represent Canada at the Pan Am Games this summer in Toronto. We’re ready to show everyone what Team Canada is made of!” Ellie Black, London 2012 Olympian
“Being in the mix for any major Games is always exciting. The opportunity to wear your country’s colours and compete against the world’s best is such an honour. Being able to compete alongside my team, with friends, family, and thousands of other Canadians cheering us on, is a dream come true. Competing for Canada on home soil means everything, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic to be a part of it.” Scott Morgan, 2011 Pan Am Games athlete
“Congratulations to these remarkable athletes, who have given their all to compete for Canada in gymnastics at the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games. Your hard work has paid off, and we look forward to seeing you proudly represent our country during this Year of Sport in Canada.” The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)
The gymnastics contingent which will represent Canada at the TORONTO 2015 Games includes:
Athletes: Patricia Bezzoubenko,Thornhill, ON, Rhythmic Gymnastics – Individual
Coaches: Team Coach, Rhythmic Gymnastics – Group: Mira Filipova, Toronto, ON Prior to being named to the final Canadian Pan American Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations towards the end of June 2015. -30-
For more information, please contact:
Gymnastics Canada: Peter Nicol, President/CEO
Julie Forget, Director, Communications & Marketing
Canadian Olympic Committee: Cherry Ye, Coordinator, Corporate Communications
Devin Heroux, Manager, Media relations
Carl Vallée, Executive Director, Communications |