May 31, 2004
CSN

Canadian wheelchair basketball teams selected for Athens

The Canadian Wheelchair Basketball Association is pleased to announce the rosters for Men’s and Women’s Canadian teams that will defend their gold medal at the Athens Paralympic Games, from September 17 to 28.

The Women’s team will be loaded with experience, lead by six-time Paralympian, Chantal Benoit of Mont St-Hilaire, Quebec. Linda Kutrowski of Ottawa will also be attending her sixth Paralympic Games. Marni Abbott, Shira Golden and Arley McNeney from Vancouver; Lori Radke and Kendra Ohama from Calgary; Danielle Peers, Jennifer Krempien and Karla Tritten from Edmonton; Tracey Ferguson from Toronto, and Sabrina Pettinicchi of Montréal, round out the team.

The Canadian Women are undefeated at the Paralympic Games since 1988 and won the gold medal in Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney. The women’s team will be trying to equal Canada’s record for the most consecutive team sport gold medals at the Olympic or Paralympic Games. The Canadian Men’s Ice Hockey Team won gold in 1920, 1924, 1928 and 1932.

“This was the most intense camp we’ve ever had.” said Head Coach and Douglas College Instructor Tim Frick, adding, “the players brought their ‘A’ game all day, every day and made our selection task extremely difficult. The players selected earned their spots with solid performances, and those who won’t be going to Athens are the ones who pushed the envelope. Without that internal competition, we could have been in danger of being unprepared heading into this next phase.”

reprinted with permission