A previous team mate of mine Paul Manning-Hunter embarked on an epic journey through the Great Bear Forest of BC to share with the world the beauty of our Canadian roots. The area is proposed to be destroyed by the northern pipeline. Enjoy and Share!
KAYAKING THE GREAT BEAR, a Search for Wilderness from Kayaking the Great Bear on Vimeo.
http://www.sportscene.tv/news/An-Olympic-point-of-view-IOC-possibly-disagrees-with-ICFs-disappointment
An Olympic point of view
IOC may disagree with ICF’s ‘disappointment' and its call for a review of the IOC evaluation process
Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee
At the recent IOC Executive Board meeting, Canoeing was shortlisted for removal from the 2020 Olympic program. The exposure to potential elimination from the Olympic Games came as a shock to the ICF and the Canoeing community.Through a recent website article, the ICF expressed its disappointment at the lowly ranked position of Canoeing amongst Olympic sports and called for a review of the IOC evaluation process.
Others, including the IOC Executive Board members who voted to remove Canoeing from the Olympic program, may take a different view. Canoeing was exposed in the IOC evaluation process because of its poor standing in terms of gender diversity.Canoeing’s lack of progress in this area stands out in comparison to other Olympic sports like Sailing and Cycling that made sweeping changes ahead of the London 2012 Games.
The sport’s “at risk” position in the Olympic Games is reflected by the inequality of opportunity, with 11 medals available for men and only five for women.
Fortunately for the ICF, Canoeing survived the elimination process that saw Wrestling removed from the 2020 Olympic program.
However, surviving the relegation zone of sports on the Olympic program is not an achievement; it is a reality check that must be taken seriously.
The ICF should heed the warning signs and increase the number of Canoeing events for women in time for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Other sports have aligned their approach with the IOC’s expectations by removing time worn barriers of gender discrimination and by finding solutions, however challenging, that increase opportunities for women to compete at the Games.
Meanwhile, the Olympic Movement, the community and female athletes around the world, are impatiently watching and waiting for Canoeing to catch up.
Richard Fox
Pan American Championships took place in Union De Tula, Jalisco, Mexico. Team Canada flew down to Puerta Vallarta where we then enbarked on a 6 hour drive through gnarly mountain roads. We had about 2 weeks of an intense training camp where we had 2 sessions a day on whitewater. All the food was provided where we had delicious authentic mexican food for every meal. In addition to on water training we went for team runs up to the highest hill in the city that had a large church on top of it. I was not able to run, but I was able to speed walk!
The race took place on March 2 and 3rd where heats were on Saturday and semi-finals and finals were on Sunday. I raced both C1W and K1W where I finished 3rd in C1W and 8th in K1W. Unfortunately, in my finals run I touched the first gate, which motivated me to paddle harder, but in turn forced me to loose my focus and hit another 3 gates.
Here are some photos that I managed to catch!
Big News was announced this week! Slalom Canoe will be included in the program for the 2015 Pan American Games, which will be held in Toronto. In addition to this C1 women will be included in the program! This means women's C1 is one step closer to the Olympics!
Dear Colleagues,
Dear canoe girls and women community,
I am pleased to announce that PASO approved the Sprint and Slalom Competition Programmes submitted by COPAC for the “XVII Pan American Games, Toronto2015” with the inclusion of the C1 women event for both disciplines.
COPAC is a pioneer in the World, promoting and including the canoe women events; first as exhibitions later included on the programme; and since now on it becomes part of the Programme of the Pan American Games.
The NFs of the Americas that have not yet incorporated canoe women, are once again strongly encouraged to take the necessary actions in order to grant the rights of their girls and women athletes, providing to them the opportunity to participate at all competition levels.
The Pan American Games, Toronto 2015, are only two years away, and the athletes need your prompt actions to participate of their Games.
As COPAC President and restless advocate for the women rights, I would like to express my gratitude for this opportunity, to the authorities of ODEPA, Organising Committee of Toronto 2015, and to the COPAC Technical Delegates Dwight Corbin and Eric Lokken.
THANKS to you all girls and women in canoe for challenging yourselves in your quest for excellence.
With my kind regards
Dr. Cecilia Liliana Farías
COPAC President
“Women rights are Human rights”
The letter can also be found on SPORTSCENE:
http://www.sportscene.tv/news/womens-c1-will-be-on-the-xvii-pan-american-games-in-toronto-2015
