June 22, 2004

Sports Journal features ROAD TO ATHENS, A SIX-PART SERIES beginning
Saturday July 10, at noon on CBC television

CBC Newsworld's SPORTS JOURNAL kicks off a six-part Olympic series, Road To Athens, hosted by Tom Harrington, with a one-hour edition airing Tuesday, July 6 at 10 p.m. ET (10 p.m. PT). With the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece on the horizon, Road To Athens goes behind the scenes with some of Canada's top Olympic and Paralympic contenders to reveal their trials and triumphs on the journey to Athens.

Following the special one-hour edition on July 6, the subsequent five episodes will be a half-hour in length airing Mondays at 8 p.m. ET (8 p.m. PT) on CBC Newsworld.

The first episode showcases the who's who of Canada's medal hopefuls, including boxer Andrew Singh Kooner, preparing for his second trip to the Olympics. The episode also includes a story about the family of gymnast Kyle Shewfelt, who are spending close to $50, 000 to travel to Greece to watch him compete.

SPORTS JOURNAL's cameras have been with several of the athletes from the beginning, when their first step towards a spot on the Canadian team was to defeat some of their most fierce opponents in qualifying tournaments. Road To Athens also examines the hard work and years of preparation involved in judging.

Upcoming episodes:
July 12 - Looks at Canada's prospects in team events at the Olympics.
July 19 - Profiles distance runner Leah Pells and Donna Saworski, one of Canada's best fencers.
July 26 - Profiles two Paralympians-both medal contenders-swimmer Danielle Campo and Boccia champion Paul Gauthier.
Aug. 2 - Focuses on people behind the scenes, including a gymnastic judge going to his first Olympic Games.
Aug. 9 - Profiles Christine Nordhagen, Canada's medal hopeful in women's wrestling.

CBC Newsworld will also air Road To Athens Saturdays at 11 a.m. ET, and Sundays at
7 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET. CBC Television will air the hour-long first edition of the series on Saturday, July 10 at noon, with subsequent half-hour episodes airing Saturdays at 12:30 p.m.

Renee Pellerin is the producer of SPORTS JOURNAL.

For further information or a screening cassette, please contact:
Barbara Cooper, publicist
CBC Newsworld
Toronto (416) 205-2506

reprinted with permission