January 27, 2011
OTTAWA –
The Canadian athletics team narrowly missed stepping on the podium on three
occasions on day six of the 2011 IPC World Championships in Christchurch, New
Zealand. Dustin Walsh of Coquitlam, BC, Josh Cassidy of Guelph, ON and the
men’s T11-13 4x100-metres relay team all placed fourth, thus far Canada’s medal
total at these championships stands at six (3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze).
Day six opened with Walsh and guide runner Steve Walters of New Westminster, BC placing 4th in the T11 400-metres in a time of 55.01 seconds. Josh Cassidy then took to the track in the T54 wheelchair 5000-metres clocking in at 10:49.28 for 4th. The T11-13 4x100-metres team also placed 4th in a time of 46.55 seconds. The team comprised of Richard Carr and guide runner Evan Porter both of Port Elgin, ON, Brandon King of Brampton ON and guide Mark Harris of Toronto, ON, Dustin Walsh and guide Steve Walters, and Braedon Dolfo of Langley, BC.
“Although missing the podium with several fourth place finishes, our athletes gained important experience on the international stage, which will be critical in their continued progression to London 2012”, explains Head Coach Ozzie Sawicki. “Josh Cassidy had an inspired performance in which he asserted control over many facets of the race. In a sprint to the finish he was a very close fourth. Josh was creative in his strategy and is on target for London. Cassidy will also be participating in the marathon on Sunday. The 4x100-metres visually impaired relay team bested their season best. We certainly will build on additional speed, but exchanges were well done in a clean race. After these close events we hope to see the podium today with Michelle Stilwell going for the Gold medal sweep in the T52 wheelchair 800-metres.”
Other
results:
- Port Elgin, ON’s Richard Carr finished 6th in the F11 javelin with a mark of 30.19 metres.
- In the men’s T54 400-metres Colin Mathieson of Sherbrooke, QC advanced to the semi-finals but did not qualify for the final. Alex Dupont of Bradwell, SK and Curtis Thom of Mississauga, ON did not advance out of the preliminary rounds.
- Eric Gauthier of St-Faustin Lac-Carré, QC did not advance in the T53 400-metres; Gauthier stopped the clock at 53.67 finishing 6th in his heat.
In action today
|
Name |
Hometown |
Event |
Round |
Local Time |
Eastern Time |
|
Braedon Dolfo |
Langley, BC |
F13 High Jump |
FINAL |
9:15 |
3:15pm |
|
Brandon King |
Brampton, ON |
F13 High Jump |
FINAL |
9:15 |
3:15pm |
|
Michelle Stilwell |
Nanoose Bay, BC |
T52 800m |
FINAL |
9:36 |
3:36pm |
|
Diane Roy |
Sherbrooke, QC |
T54 400m |
Heat 2 |
12:15 |
6:15pm |
|
Diane Roy |
Sherbrooke, QC |
T54 1500m |
FINAL |
17:16 |
11:16pm |
|
Leah Robinson |
Petersburg, ON |
T37 400m |
Heat 1 |
18:06 |
12:06am |
|
Jon Dunkerley Sean Young |
Ottawa,
ON |
T11 800m |
Heat 1 |
18:56 |
12:56am |
|
Jason Dunkerley Greg Dailey |
Ottawa,
ON |
T11 800m |
Heat 2 |
19:02 |
1:02am |
Michelle Stilwell
has won three gold medals in the T52 100, 200 and 400-metres, Brent Lakatos has
a silver in the T53 200-metres and bronze in the 100-metres, and Diane Roy has
earned a bronze in the T54 800-metres.
Visit www.athletics.ca/page.asp?id=533 for the latest from Christchurch.
Emily
Hooper
Coordinator,
Public Relations and Corporate Services
Athletics
Canada
(613) 260-5580 x.3332
