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News From Beijing 2008
August 17th, 2008
Team Canada is celebrating with a nations best placing for the team competition. Although they did not reach their goal
of making the team finals (placing 9th as a team) they are still excited to have improved on their dismal Athens 2004 12 place
placing.
Veteran team member Kristina Koffington was the star of this Canadian team. She was not only there as team captain and
in charge of getting everyone fired up but also as an individual looking to make her Olympic debut in the all around finals.
She reached that being one of 2 Canadians to make the all around finals. Koffington along with Kendra Hibbs from OVG will
compete in the all around competition later this week.
Rising star Kristin Bari and veteran Alyssa Roberts appeared to let their nerves get the best of them making uncommon
balance checks and form errors that would eventual push them straight out of any finals competition. After having a chance
to speak to Canadian Olympic team coach Karly Neigle from OVG, this is what she had to say.
"We came here with a job to do and the girls did just that. They did everything we asked of them and reached our
first goal of improving on 2004 as well as putting 2 athletes in the all around finals. We had some jitters that were apparent
out there but no regrets. We know where we need to improve and will continue to make our way up in the international ranks.
We have a young team this year and the more experience they get on the international playing field, the more of a threat they
will become"
August 5th, 2008
Canadian team members have been looking great during training sessions. They appear to have settled into the time zone
change and have been working hard on last minute corrections. Kristina Koffington, voted team captain by her team mates, has
been looking very strong during training sessions and has done a great job taking on the role of team captain. She has been
motivating her fellow gymnasts to work hard and stay focused while here in Beijing.
2008 Olympic Team Announcement
July 9th, 2008
Canadian Olympic Team
Alyssa Roberts
Kristin Bari
Kritina Koffington
Kendra Hibbs
Lara Hoppner
Sara Cortney
Alt: Holly Myers, Gina Mack
2008 Canadian Nationals
June 5th, 2008
The 2008 Olympic Games is on the horizon and the senior gymnasts are working hard towards their dream of becoming a member
of the 2008 Canadian team. The top 12 from this weekends competition will be invited to the Olympic Trials and from there
only 6 will be named to the team along with 2 alternates. The senior field is one of the strongest yet for team Canada with
gymnasts like Kristina Koffington from Atlantic, Alyssa Roberts and Kendra Hibbs from Ottawa, and new comer Kristin Bari from
Gymtastik headlining this competition.
At the end of the night only one will be crowned champion and only 12 will be one step closer to having their Olympic
dream come true
June 6th, 2008
2008 Olympic hopeful Brenna Anderson from Gimtastik tore her Achilles today during floor warm up. She landed short coming
out of a double layout and immediately dropped to the floor in pain. Her coach Brian Deegan rushed to her followed by the
competition paramedics. Brenna was taken off the podium by her coach and placed on a stretcher where she was taken off the
competition floor for further evaluation. Brenna's teammates were looking distressed as they watched one of their top gymnasts
leave the arena. The girls finished up warm up and then sat silently off the podium. Brenna was a top contender for a spot
on the 2008 Olympic team.
June 6th, 2008
Canada crowned a new Junior National Champion tonight. Yukons only qualified elite Alex Johnson showed a break out performance
to easily win the All around gold medal with an amazing lead. Her coaches Naomi Clauson and Derek Hill were in tears after
their little gymnast stole the show. "She was amazing tonight, she performed up to her capability and showed the country
what kind of talent can come out of a northern territory" said Alex's coach Naomi. Alex is the first ever Junior Elite
champion from the Yukon. Second all around went to BC's Zoey Dixon followed by Kasondra Saunders from the famous OVGA.
June 7th, 2008
As the senior competition came to and end a battle between Canada's top two gymnasts ended with Ottawa's Alyssa Roberts
besting veteran Atlantic's Kristina Koffington by just .075 of a point. The bronze went to new comer Kristin Bari who's teammate
Brenna Anderson tore her Achilles tendon during warm up. "I really wish she I could have been up on the podium with her,
we've been in this together since day one and hoped to make the Olympic team together" said Bari who smiled with her
other teammates Lara and Fiona who will be joining her at the upcoming Olympic trials. The top 12 have been named and will
now move on. The Olympic Trials take place June 28th-29th, 2008 in Ottawa, Ontario.
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