Adaptive Athletes Getting Closer to Beijing.....

NART Selection Camp June 8-15, 2008. London Training Centre

The first Paralympic Games to include the sport of rowing will become more of a reality to those competing at the Rowing Canada Aviron National Adaptive Team Selection Camp in London, Ontario, from June 8 to 15. After training all winter and spring, adaptive athletes will gather at Fanshawe Lake for the next stage of selection.

Eight of the nine team members from the 2007 National Adaptive Team will be back to try to maintain their spots and will be challenged by promising newcomers.

"All athletes and crews have continued to step up their training focus," said Allison Sheard, National Adaptive Team Coordinator. "We will be looking to see how the athletes perform during the time trial to get a full gauge of their potential for podium placement this year.”

A full list of athletes attending the camp is found here: www.rowingcanada.org/national_team/adaptive/list_may08/

The Paralympic Games will be held in Beijing - September 6 to 17, 2008. See http://www.paralympic.ca for more on Canada's team.

Last year, Canada’s crew took the bronze medal in the adaptive coxed four event at the World Rowing Championships in Munich, Germany.

"Canada will be looking to have a strong showing, building on our international experiences, including medals in 2006 and 2007 at the World Championships," said Sheard.