PacificSport honours Island’s best
Athletes focus attention, training on 2008 Summer Games in Beijing
Cleve Dheensaw (cdheensaw@tc.canwest.com), Times Colonist
Victoria track star Gary Reed and the Elk Lake-based Canadian men’s rowing eight were proud to be recognized last night for what they did last year.
But they realize that it is what they do later this year in Beijing that they will be truly judged and remembered.
The annual Hellies were presented at the Empress Ballroom during the PacificSport Gala.
Named in honour of George Heller, president and CEO of the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games, the awards are given by the national training centre to the top Island-based PacificSport athletes.
Reed won the Hellie as top male athlete of 2007 for his breakthrough silver medal in the 800 metres at the world track and field championships in Osaka.
Rising teen triathlete Kirsten Sweetland won the female Hellie for her two World Cup victories last year. The Canadian eight scooped the Hellie as top team for its gold medal at the 2007 world rowing championships in Munich.
“We’ve not forgotten about last year but we know the main goal is Beijing [2008 Summer Olympics],” said Kevin Light of Sidney, a member of the world champion Canadian men’s eight.
This is a wiser crew after winning the world championships also in 2002 and 2003 only to wrenchingly miss the podium at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics.
“That’s why we didn’t celebrate our [2007] world championship as much this time around,” noted Light.
“We’re not taking anything for granted this time. The Olympics are different and now we know that. Last time we didn’t.
“Now we know what to expect.”
Although clearly focused on Beijing, the Canadian eight did allow themselves one last glimpse in the rear view mirror last night in accepting their Hellie.
“The 2007 world title was a great accomplishment because it was such a dominating win for us in the final,” noted Light, whose crewmates include Malcolm Howard, Andrew Byrnes, Adam Kreek, Kyle Hamilton, Brian Price, Ben Rutledge, Dominic Seiterle and Jake Wetzel.
“It showed we have the potential to perform well at Beijing. So we really appreciate this [Hellies] honour tonight because it allows the athletes to publicly thank PacificSport for all it does in helping us. We’re lucky to have an organization like this in Victoria.”
Mike Spracklen, mentor of the Canadian eight, was named winner of the Shields Award for PacificSport coach of the year while cycling volunteer Dave Richardson captured the Terry Farmer Award for leadership.
