With high expectations for Beijing, Canada's speed skaters hit the ice for trials in Calgary
CBC
After 18 months of training in basements and backyards, an outdoor oval and even a lake at the base of picturesque mountains, Canada's speed skaters are finally back in the confines of the Olympic oval in Calgary and are now ready to take the ice for five days of meaningful competition.
The 2021 Canadian long track speed skating championships begin Wednesday and serve as a pivotal event to not only choose the athletes who will represent the country on the World Cup circuit, but more importantly it is a critical first step for athletes who want to represent Canada at the Olympics in February.
This is the first long track competition in Canada of significance since February 2020.
"This is a big milestone for us. Our athletes have shown their incredible resilience and adaptability through the pandemic," said Susan Auch, CEO of Speed Skating Canada and a three-time Olympic medallist in the sport. "They've done an amazing job."
The results from this event will also help finalize the members of the national team for this season. But more than anything, it's about setting the tone in an Olympic season for the skaters.
"For me, it's really important to gain confidence and gain momentum. I just need to know where I'm at," said Ted-Jan Bloemen, the 2018 Olympic champion in the 10,000 metres and silver medallist in the 5,000m. "So far it's been really good and every race has been better and better. I'm excited about what we can achieve at the Canadian championships."
Athletes and coaches have been pushed to come up with different ways to train in the midst of the pandemic. To make matters worse the oval was out of commission because of mechanical issues all of last season. But despite all of the challenges, national team coach Bart Schouten says the skaters are exactly where they need to be with less than four months to the Games.
