Modification de la Politique du COC sur le dopage dans le sport, Modification to COC’s Policy on Doping in Sport

Lors de la dernière réunion du conseil du Comité Olympique Canadien, la Politique du COC sur le dopage dans le sport a été modifiée. La politique ne permet plus d’imposer de pénalité additionnelle pour une interdiction d’au moins deux ans par l’AMA.

At the Board of the Directors of the Canadian Olympic Committees’ most recent meeting, the Board amended the COC Policy on Doping in Sport. The policy no longer allows for an additional penalty on a minimum two-year ban by WADA.

Some biased thoughts from a figure skater on artistic roller skating

Canadian champion Kailah Macri competes at the Pan American Games. She placed 5th.‘- photo and caption from here

I’ve been a figure skater for 17 years, so when I learned that one of the sports competing at these Pan American Games was artistic roller skating — figure skating on wheels, I was told — I had to check it out.

(Apparently, Canadian and World champion Elvis Stojko was thinking the same thing. Stojko, who lives in a small village outside of Guadalajara, was in the stands today to watch the event.)

What can I say about this sport…

Athletically, it is impressive. But I can’t say I really understand why anyone living in a country with ice rinks would bother.

Read more: Some biased thoughts from a figure skater on artistic roller skating

The beauty of figure skating, minus the ice

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO—They look a lot like figure skaters. They’ve got the same sequined dresses, beige tights and slicked-back hair. And they perform many of the same technical elements — axels, Lutzes, camel spins.

But instead of a toe pick on their skates, there’s a rubber stopper; in the place of two blades, there are eight wheels; and in artistic roller skating, when a competitor falls down on a jump, she lands on concrete. Thud. There’s no ice to slide on.

Read more: The beauty of figure skating, minus the ice

More than sports at Pan Am Games

Artistic roller skating is one of the handful of medal sports unique to the Pan Am Games, but for a few hours in October, it seemed like the world’s most popular sport. The competitors had assembled on the outdoor surface – sort of a giant green tennis court – for a little practice a few days before their short program.

Kailah Macri, the 20-yearold from Whitby, Ont., was among the dozen or so skaters and was, like all of them, in full uniform. The uniforms were form fitting, often sequined, and entirely captivating for the dozen or so maintenance workers who chose that precise time of day to take an extended coffee break.

Read more here: More than sports at Pan Am Games

Kailah Macri Finishes 5th at Pan American Games in Mexico

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

No smooth ride to Games for artistic roller skating

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

Canada’s Pan American Games Team Ready For Mexico

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.