OTTAWA, June 21, 2012 /CNW/ - A strong team of five archers has been nominated by Archery Canada to the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) for entry into the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The Canadian contingent will be led by 2008 Paralympian and 2011 Parapan American Games gold medallist, Kevin Evans (Jaffray, BC). Evans is also a two-time defending world champion, having struck gold in 2007 and 2009 in the Men's Open Compound Bow category.
"I'm really pleased and excited about returning to the Paralympic Games," said Evans. "Last season was a bit rough with some untimely injuries, but things are definitely looking up this season and for the Paralympics."
Joining Evans will be first-time Paralympian Bob Hudson (Leoville, SK). Hudson captured the silver medal in his category at the 2011 Parapan American Games. Both Hudson and Evans will compete in the men's Compound Bow, Open category.
Lyne Tremblay (Magog, QC), a 2008 Paralympian, will compete in her second Paralympic Games. Tremblay will compete in the women's Recurve Bow, ARW2 category.
Karen Van Nest (Wiarton, ON) will be competing in her fourth Paralympic Games. She competed in the 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in pistol shooting. The London 2012 Paralympic Games will mark the first time she competes as an archery athlete. Van Nest will compete in the women's Compound Bow, Open category.
Rounding-out the strong Canadian contingent is international veteran Norbert Murphy (Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC). Murphy will be competing in his third Paralympic Games. He competed at the 2000 Sydney and 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. Murphy captured the bronze medal at the 2009 World Para-Archery Championship and finished fifth at the 2011 World Para-Archery Championship (in the men's Compound Bow, ARW1 category).
The five archers nominated to the Canadian Paralympic Team for London is an increase from the three who competed at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games four years ago.
"I am really happy to see the fantastic growth in Paralympic archery with a record number of athletes being nominated to the London 2012 team with real chances of medals," said Gaétan Tardif, Chef de mission for Team Canada.
Vladimir Kopecky (Kimberley, BC) is Archery's Team Leader for the Games.
"I believe we have a very strong team and that we have a real chance to be on the podium," Kopecky said. "We are going to the Games to do Canada proud."
Athletes and staff nominated to the Canadian Paralympic Committee for the London 2012 Paralympic Games in archery:
- Kevin EVANS (Jaffray, BC) - Compound Bow, Men's Open category
- Bob HUDSON (Leoville, SK) - Compound Bow, Men's Open category
- Karen VAN NEST (Wiarton, ON) - Compound Bow, Women's Open category
- Lyne TREMBLAY (Magog, QC) - Recurve Bow, Women's ARW2 category
- Norbert MURPHY (Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC) - Compound Bow, Men's ARW1 category
- Rob COX (Winnipeg, MB) - Alternate in Compound Bow, Men's Open category
- Vladimir KOPECKY (Kimberley, BC) - Team Leader
- Linda GAGNON (Magog, QC) - Team Support Staff
The archery competition for the London 2012 Paralympic Games will take place at the Royal Artillery venue in London from August 30 to September 5.
About Archery Canada
Archery Canada is the National Sport Organization responsible for the promotion and development of the timeless sport of archery in a safe and ethical manner. Archery Canada supports the achievement of high performance excellence in archery in all categories and the development of a national archery infrastructure to promote archery participation across Canada in cooperation with the Provincial Archery Associations.
For interviews with individual athletes and coaches, please contact:
Scott Ogilvie
Executive Director, Archery Canada
[email protected]
613-260-2113
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