Speed Skating Canada – Calgary, March 15, 2016 – Olympic multi-medalist Denny Morrison is set to compete in his first race back to competition, following his motorcycle accident this past May, at the Canada Cup #4/Olympic Oval Finale March 17-20, in Calgary.

Morrison will be one of the 196 Canadian speed skaters, along with athletes from the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, United States, Japan, China, Mongolia, New Zealand, Scotland and India, to take part in this last national long track competition of the season at the Olympic Oval in Calgary. Canadian participants in the Canada Cup #4 event will have one last opportunity to improve their Canadian ranking and to be part of the National Program next year.

Morrison will be racing the 1000m in the first day of competition on Thursday March 17, starting at around 3 pm. He has also entered in the 3000m event Friday and the 1500m event on Sunday.

“I’m excited to race and to be back at this point in my recovery”, said Morrison. “I’ve had to remove expectations a long time ago about everything in my recovery. As an athlete, you’re setting goals and expectations, but now the expectations have shifted to focussing on the now and not expecting something that I can achieve later. That’s been the process the entire recovery. I’ve had to be incredibly patient and try not to rush myself.”

“I’m just happy now, that after ten months, I’m at the point in my recovery that I’ve gotten the okay from my physio to go ahead and try to race and see how it goes”, added Morrison. “To be honest, I won’t be surprised if it causes some type of small setback. I’ve gotten very used to taking one step forward and half a step back. I’m a bit nervous and don’t feel as prepared as I did for my last race a year ago, but this is a huge step in the right direction and a stepping stone to get me ready for the World Cups next fall.”

Overall, six of Speed Skating Canada’s National Team and eight NextGEN/Development team members will take part in the competition this weekend, including:

-Four-time Olympic medalist Denny Morrison;

-2014 Olympians: Morrison, Kali Christ, Anastasia Bucsis and Kaylin Irvine;
-2016 World Single Distance Championships Team members: Christ and Irvine, Isabelle Weidemann, Richard MacLennan, Shannon Rempel and Josie Spence;
-2016 World Junior Championships National Team members: Christopher Fiola, Abigail McCluskey, Gabrielle Sanson, Tyson Langelaar and Antoine Roger;
-Canadian representatives in different 2015-2016 World Cups: Nicholas Goplen and Antoine Gélinas-Beaulieu;
-NextGen/Development team members: Fiola, Dan Carruthers, Mikhail Choi, Braden Clouthier, Sam Deckert, Daniel Dubreuil, Jacob Graham and Jordan Henkleman;
-2006 Olympic silver medalist in the team pursuit event: Rempel.

The event will be webcasted with guest colour commentators including Olympic medalists Denny Morrison and Jessica Gregg, National Team member Alec Janssens and more. Webcast will be available at https://www.youtube.com/theolympicoval. Admission is free.

Charity race
The Branch Out Foundation’s Rust Busta charity 500m event will take place for the first time during Sunday’s racing schedule. The event of the Branch Out Neurological Foundation will help to fund neuroCAM research. So far, past National Team member Philippe Riopel confirmed his attendance.

Here is the approximate competition schedule (local time):

Thursday, March 17
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday, March 18
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 19

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, March 20

9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

  

More info, including the full schedule and results, is available at Speed Skating Canada’s Website: www.speedskating.ca.

About Speed Skating Canada

Speed Skating Canada (SSC) is the governing body for competitive long track and short track speed skating in Canada. Founded in 1887, the association is comprised of 13 provincial and territorial branches representing more than 14,000 individual members, and counting. SSC believes that sport is an apprenticeship for life and prizes respect for others, integrity, excellence of effort, as well as a safe, healthy environment. SSC recognizes and values its outstanding volunteers who give freely of their time and expertise. It also celebrates the 63 Olympic medals won by Canadian athletes since 1932, as well as the coaches, officials and other dedicated individuals who helped them on their journey.

SSC is proud to be affiliated with partners that share the same vision and values including our premium sponsors Intact Insurance, as well as our funding partners, the Government of Canada, Own the Podium, City of Montreal, Calgary Olympic Oval and WinSport Canada.

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For information:

Patrick Godbout

Communications & Media Relations Manager

Speed Skating Canada

Email: pgodbout@speedskating.ca

Phone: 514 213-9897

Website: www.speedskating.ca 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC

Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC

Kerry Dankers
Long Track Program and Communications Coordinator
Speed Skating Canada
Email: kdankers@speedskating.ca
Phone: 403-589-8960
Website: www.speedskating.ca  
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SSC.PVC 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SSC_PVC