Montreal’s Martine Charbonneau placed 6th in both the 1000-meter and 10km points/ elimination races at the Pan American Games in Gudelajara, Mexico. Charbonneau skated the 1000-meter in place of Morgane Echardour who wasn’t feeling well.
Before returning home, the Canadian team marched along with athletes from 42 countries from across the Americas in a beautifully produced Closing Ceremony.
Toronto, Ontario will host the 2015 Pan American Games.
Click here to view photos of Kailah Macri competing in her long program at the Artistic competition at Pan American Games in Guadelajara, Mexico.
Kailah Macri skating her long program- photo from Guadalajara 2011 Pan American Games
After the short and long programs were completed and all was said-and-done, Whitby’s Kailah Macri finished in 5th in the Artistic Women’s Singles at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Spectators for the Artistic finals- photo from here
The speed team will begin its competition tomorrow. Sprinters take to the line for a 300-meter time trial and a 1000-meter pack race while distance skaters will skate a 10km race.
The Pan American Games are the 2nd largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics. The Canadian Olympic Team
consists of almost 800 Canadians who will be in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. The athletes will be trying to achieve personal bests, win Pan Am medals, set records and for some earn an Olympic Qualification spot. (To be exact, 796 in total = 97 coaches+137 support team+ 67 mission team+ 493 athletes).
This multi-sport event is held every four years with 46 sports involving 42 countries from the nations of North, Central and South America. It is the only Olympic event in which roller sports participates.
CBC –TV, Radio Canada & CBCsports.ca has highlights coverage. Closing Ceremonies Oct 30, (8.00pm ET) live on CBCSports.ca
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — It can be tricky at the airport when they are flying to competitions around the world. Eduardo Gravina is used to explaining what it is they do, but that does not always make it easy when they stop at customs and immigration.
“What are you doing?” the officer will ask.
“Oh, we’re competing,” Gravina, the coach, and Kailah Macri, his athlete, will say.
“What sport?” the officer will prod.
“Skating,” they say.
Read more: No smooth ride to Games for artistic roller skating
‘Macri, 20, is from Whitby, Ont., but has logged thousands of kilometres in travel just for a place to practise‘- photo and caption from here
Toronto’s Travis Shaw has been added to Canada’s roller speed skating Pan American Games roster. Shaw, who represented Canada at the 2008 World Roller Speed Skating Championships, will be skating in these, his first ever Pan Am Games, competeing the 300-meter time trial and 1000-meter races.
Travis Shaw will join Canada’s athletes Morgane Echardour & Martine Charbonneau to compete in Guadalajara, Mexico later in October.
The Pan American Games is the Worlds’ largest sporting event next to the Summer Olympics. Within the Pan American family, Roller sports is part of the greater sporting community along the likes of water polo, track & field, basketball, and more great sports!!
Toronto has been selected to host the 2015 Pan American Games.
Opening ceremonies on October 14th
On October 30th, Toronto will become the official hosts of the 2015 Games! Join us for an afternoon to celebrate the occasion! Bring your friends, your family, your colleagues!
Canada’s 2011 Pan American Games squad is in final preparation phase to compete with some of the world’s best roller speed and roller figure skaters at the upcoming Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Martine Charbonneau and Morgane Echardour will compete in the speed division and Kailah Macri will be compete in roller figure skating. Coaching the speed skaters will be Mike Murray. Wayne Burrett will lead the delegation as Team Manager.
Roller Sports Canada 