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What's New
Team Canada Begin Podium Training
Team Canada is ready for the Olympic Games. Melanie is standing in the center-right of the group. |
The Women's and Men's Teams have been training in Greece since August 5th and 7th respectively. The men's podium training takes place today on Wednesday August 11, to be followed by the women on Thursday. The Trampoline athletes and coaches arrive today and will begin training at the official facilities on Thursday. Due to the timing of the Opening Ceremonies and the first competition session, the team will not be participating in the Opening Ceremonies, however there will be gymnastics representation. Ceremonies begin Friday at approximately 2:00 EST.
Men's Competition will begin on Saturday morning at approximately 5:30 AM EST and will be broadcast in the morning by SRC (Radio Canada). The Women's Competition will begin on Sunday morning at 6:30 AM EST and will also be broadcast on SRC (Radio Canada).
CBC will be covering the Artistic Gymnastics - Women's Team Qualification on Sunday, August 15, 2004, 7:00 a.m.
CBC will re-broadcast in the evening on both days. Women's Trampoline on August 20 beginning at approx 9:30 AM EST and Men's on August 21 at the same time. Broadcast will take place in the morning on SRC (Radio Canada) and the evenings on CBC.
Source: Gymnastics Canada
Team Cornwall to Auction Off Olympic Flag
Official Olympics Flag signed by all members of Canada's Olymic Women's Gymnastic Team |
Set aside the afternoon of Wednesday August 11th for a special Team Cornwall get together with an international focus! As a warm up to the Olympics, Team Members will be gathering in the Windows Room at the Civic Complex at 3:00pm for an exciting afternoon of food and festivities. See an exclusive video message from our very own Olympian Melanie Banville, hear about the recent trip to China, and more!
Please click on the following link for more information about the Global Get-Together event. It's sure to be a great afternoon that you won't want to miss! All proceeds go to the Melanie Banville Foundation.
New Articles Added
Several new articles have been added, including recent stories about Melanie that have appeared in the Ottawa Citizen and Ottawa Sun. Check them out:
Melanie earns ticket to Athens at Women's Artistic Gymnastics Olympic trials
Melanie Banville of Long Sault, Ont., placed first at the women's gymnastics Olympic trials for the second straight day on Sunday to lead a group of four competitors to the Athens Summer Games.
Also earning their ticket to the Games were Kylie Stone of Calgary, who finished second overall, Amélie Plante of Joliette, Que., third overall and Heather Purnell of Metcalfe, Ont., who was fourth and 2000 Team member, Kate Richardson from Coquitlam, BC.
The top-four competitors based on points from the trials, which count for 65 per cent, and the Canadian championships last month, which count for 35 percent, won automatic nominations to the Olympic team. Richardson was named to the Team by the Selection Committee later on in the evening.
One other athlete for the six-member Olympic team and one reserve will be determined by the Selection Committee and announced on Monday.
"It's hard to believe that I've finally made the Olympic team," said Banville, 17, who was tops all around on Sunday with second on bars, beam and floor in a tie.
"It's a feeling of both relief and joy. I've wanted to go to the Olympics since I watched the gymnastics competition at the 1996 Olympics and now that I'm going it's a great feeling. I'm just so glad to have the chance to represent Canada."
Melanie Banville Gets Help for Olympic Run
Melanie is presented with a cheque by Terry Landon of REMAX Cornwall (left) and Peter Gault of WEBtech (center) and Gilles Latour of Ming and Associates (right) |
Melanie Banville's run to the Olympics just became a little bit easier with the recent presentation of a cheque for over $5000 to Gymnastics Canada. The funds will be placed in a trust account in Melanie's name, and will be used to defray the costs of her training.
"Every parent recognizes the cost of helping their children achieve athletic dreams", said Peter Gault. "This cheque represents a helping hand from 11 local companies, and in part recognizes how proud we are of Melanie and her family."
Melanie is considered to be one of the top women gymnasts in Canada, and has a tough schedule of meets, trials and practice sessions in order to get ready for the summer Olympics in Athens Greece.
"I am very thankful for the generous support of Cornwall's business community," said Melanie Banville. "I will do my best to represent both Cornwall and Canada wherever I compete".
Foundation Launched
Peter Gault and Terry Landon officially launched the Foundation at a recent Team Cornwall breakfast.
"Every family knows how expensive it is to have a child on a travelling team", said Peter Gault. "Melanie is on the ultimate travelling team, and with that role comes added expenses for her family. As a Team Cornwall member, Melanie is also part of our family, and that means we should help with some of the expenses."
The The Foundation is a non-profit effort to help offset the costs as Melanie prepares for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. In making the official announcement of the Foundation, Mr. Gault identified several companies who have come forward to jumpstart the fundraising. A list of contributors, along with more information can be found on the following pages:
Melanie Signs City Golden Book
Melanie was invited to City Hall on September 22 to sign the City's Golden Book. She joins other celebrities and dignitaries who have visited the City over the past years, including fellow hometown athlete, Lori Dupuis.
In introducing Melanie, Mayor Brian Sylvester said: "She is an extraordinary person... a world class athlete with a down home personality... she is simply a wonderful young lady that I know will do our hometown proud!"
Melanie thanked the Mayor and Council for their support.
"When I competed at the Canadian Championships recently, I did so knowing that I was representing my hometown", said Melanie. "As I look forward to the Summer Olympics in Athens, I do so knowing that I have the support of my hometown - my friends and my family. I will draw upon that support every day as I train."
Melanie Participates in Team Cornwall Golf Tournament
Team Cornwall Golf Day
Pictured from left to right are Mayor Brian Sylvester, Melanie, Team Cornwall Chair Gilles Latour and Bob Peters of WEBtech. |
With just a quick lesson from her Dad, Melanie bravely faced the challenge of golfing for the first time at the Team Cornwall Golf Tournament. Paired with Mayor Brian Sylvester, Team Cornwall Chair Gilles Latour, and Bob Peters of WEBtech, Melanie did not disappoint.
"Melanie stepped up to the ball on the first tee, and with quite a crowd of onlookers, she drove it right down the middle of the fairway", said Mayor Sylsvester. "Her natural
athletic ability shown through".
At the Team Cornwall tournament, local businessmen Peter Gault of
WEBtech and Jamie Cameron and Terry Landon of RE/MAX Cornwall announced that they are
setting up a foundation to help offset the costs of Melanie's olympic
dreams. As Team Cornwall chairman Gilles Latour put it... "we take care of
our own".
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