High school alumni
pitch in to support rower’s Olympic dreams
It is estimated that 70% of Canada
high performance athletes live under the poverty line
while training to compete for the country.
Oakbank rower Krista Stewart knows firsthand what
it's like to be one of those struggling athletes.
Now some of her friends back home are trying to help
her get to the Olympics in Athens.
"I don't think you understand (how hard it is)
until you live it," said Stewart, who helped
the Canadian women's fours crew finish fourth at last
summer's World Championships. "I think a lot
of people sympathize with it and I think they can
imagine how hard it is but I don't think you really
get it until you're living it."
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Stewart has been training at the national team training
centres in London, Ont., and Victoria, B.C., since
2001 but didn't make the national team until last
summer. She only started getting financial assistance
from the government in December.
"It's hard to focus on what you're doing when
you're stressed out about the basic necessities of
life," said Stewart, speaking from Victoria where
the national team has been holding its Olympic training
camp.
A group of Springfield Collegiate teachers and alumni
have set up the SCI Olympic Fund to collect donations
to help Stewart reach her Olympic dreams.
"We just decided that we wanted to try to help
her out," said fund organizer and former Springfield
teacher Nancy Trush.
"I was pretty overwhelmed when (Trush) told
me (about the Fund)," said Stewart, a 1990 Springfield
Collegiate graduate. "It's an amazing thing that
they're doing for me."
The organizers have approached alumni, students and
community members to try to drum up support for Stewart.
They even sent out letters to Springfield grads such
as Minnesota Twins third baseman Corey Koskie, Toronto
Maple Leafs goalie Trevor Kidd and New York Islanders
defenceman Sven Butenschon.
The minimum goal is $2,500 and Trush is confident
that they will exceed that amount. A basketball game
is being organized between the local RCMP detachment
and the Springfield Collegiate staff with all of the
proceeds going to the fund.
"I know that Krista has amassed a large debt
supporting herself thus far and whatever we collect
will help her address her living expenses until the
Olympics happen," Trush added.
Cheques may be made out to the SCI Olympic Fund and
mailed to Springfield Collegiate, 841 Cedar Ave.,
Oakbank, Man., R0E 1J0. Should Stewart not make the
Olympic team, the money will be donated to the Springfield
Collegiate Physical Education program to help other
athletes achieve their dreams.
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FINAL STAGES OF QUALIFYING
Stewart is in the final stages of qualifying for
Athens. In November, she earned a spot among the top
16 female rowers for the Olympic training camp being
held in Victoria. Races will be held at the end of
the month to cut that number down to 12 who will make
up the Olympic team.
Stewart said she and the other national team rowers
don't spend a lot of time sitting around feeling sorry
for themselves. They know how fortunate they are to
have this opportunity, no matter what the cost.
"If I had to live in a cardboard box to pursue
my dream, I'd do it," she said.
reprinted with permission
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