January 20, 2002

Young Biathlete Looks To The Future

RUHPOLDING, Germany — Maryke Ciaramidaro of Canmore, Alta., is disappointed she and her teammates on the Canadian biathlon team failed to qualify for the Winter Olympics next month in Salt Lake.

"Athletes that we beat consistently in World Cup competition are going to the Games so it’s discouraging for us," said Ciaramidaro, who won the European junior title last year and placed three times in the top-20 at the world junior championships.

"If Canada wants medals for the future it must invest now. It’s totally backwards thinking in my opinion. Every other country is sending at least their best athlete. The other countries don’t understand our logic."

Ciaramidaro, 20, placed 51st in Sunday’s 10 kilometre pursuit and 49th Saturday in the 7.5 kilometre sprint at a World Cup event in Ruhpolding, Germany.

Canadian head coach Nikolai Koterlitzov said the qualifying criteria set by the Canadian Olympic Association (COA) was very difficult and comparable to nations such Germany and France, powerhouses in the sport.

Martine Albert of Rimouski, Que., and Robin Clegg of Canmore, came closest to qualifying for the Games coming up one qualifying result short each. The cut-off date was last weekend. They had met the criteria set by the International Biathlon Union but not the COA standards.

Ciaramidaro is considered one of Canada’s top hopes for the future in biathlon.

"I’m pleased with my progress," said Ciaramidaro.

The sixth of nine stops on the World Cup starts Wednesday in Antholz, Italy.

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