SSC News (now including Oly Trials News)

[bubblebuttsbabe]

ugh, i'm so lagging on the updates, but wow. this is all so very interesting.

[musicalmom]

This just published:


TheStar.com - Olympics - Overland fumes after being `robbed' of Olympic team berth
Veteran speed skater passed over for teenager

September 02, 2009
Randy Starkman
SPORTS REPORTER

Olympic silver medallist Amanda Overland feels "robbed" by last week's decision to leave her off the short track speed-skating team for the 2010 Winter Games.

The 28-year-old from Kitchener, who appeared a strong contender for the discretionary position on the women's team, was passed over in favour of 19-year-old Valerie Maltais.

"I feel robbed, to be totally honest. I really do," said Overland yesterday. "They chose a 19-year-old girl with no experience. ... It seems like the most utterly ridiculous choice. I'm sorry but I have to say it that way and if you print it that way, I don't have a problem with it."

Overland, who missed last season because of hip surgery but was making a strong comeback, has two Olympics and five world championships under her belt. Maltais, of La Baie, Que., competed in her first full senior season last year and won a world championship bronze.

"It's not because of the person they chose," said Overland. "It's her experience. I really don't think putting her in an Olympics for experience makes sense. It seems crazy. ... The kicker is that she's going to skate a 1,500 (metres at the Olympics) and I beat her in that distance fair and square (at the trials). That's what kills me right now. I'm just dying a little bit inside."

The Olympic trials last month in Vancouver were weighted on results in the 500 metres and 1,000 metres. Yves Hamelin, program director for the short track team, said Maltais was fifth overall at those distances at the trials while Overland was eighth. He said the high performance committee felt Maltais deserved the spot, though he can appreciate how hard it's hit Overland.

"I can understand the feeling she has at the moment," said Hamelin.

Overland is also reeling from the recent news that her mother's cancer has spread. Her mother, Linda Penner, is battling lung cancer.

I really feel for Amanda and agree that the committee's choice was questionable.

[bubblebuttsbabe]

Sept 2, 2009 12:07:42 GMT -5 musicalmom said:

This just published:


TheStar.com - Olympics - Overland fumes after being `robbed' of Olympic team berth
Veteran speed skater passed over for teenager

September 02, 2009
Randy Starkman
SPORTS REPORTER

Olympic silver medallist Amanda Overland feels "robbed" by last week's decision to leave her off the short track speed-skating team for the 2010 Winter Games.

The 28-year-old from Kitchener, who appeared a strong contender for the discretionary position on the women's team, was passed over in favour of 19-year-old Valerie Maltais.

"I feel robbed, to be totally honest. I really do," said Overland yesterday. "They chose a 19-year-old girl with no experience. ... It seems like the most utterly ridiculous choice. I'm sorry but I have to say it that way and if you print it that way, I don't have a problem with it."

Overland, who missed last season because of hip surgery but was making a strong comeback, has two Olympics and five world championships under her belt. Maltais, of La Baie, Que., competed in her first full senior season last year and won a world championship bronze.

"It's not because of the person they chose," said Overland. "It's her experience. I really don't think putting her in an Olympics for experience makes sense. It seems crazy. ... The kicker is that she's going to skate a 1,500 (metres at the Olympics) and I beat her in that distance fair and square (at the trials). That's what kills me right now. I'm just dying a little bit inside."

The Olympic trials last month in Vancouver were weighted on results in the 500 metres and 1,000 metres. Yves Hamelin, program director for the short track team, said Maltais was fifth overall at those distances at the trials while Overland was eighth. He said the high performance committee felt Maltais deserved the spot, though he can appreciate how hard it's hit Overland.

"I can understand the feeling she has at the moment," said Hamelin.

Overland is also reeling from the recent news that her mother's cancer has spread. Her mother, Linda Penner, is battling lung cancer.

I really feel for Amanda and agree that the committee's choice was questionable.

Ugh. I wanted her on the team so freaking bad. She's a veteran, I think she deserved it. I mean, I understand what she said - it wasn't a personal thing like she didn't like the girl, it could have been any girl (well, maybe any inexperienced girl). What I agree with is her comment about gaining Oly experience by going to the Olys. I think that's what WC's are about. If you can't hang there, then I don't know what to tell you. :/