WINNIPEG, July 8, 2022 РCompetition at the World Games gets underway next week for Mich̬le Morissette of Baie-Comeau and Lee Connell of Saskatoon when the racquetball event begins at the Games in Birmingham, Alabama on July 10.
Both athletes qualified based on their results at the 2021 World Championships held in August 2021. Morissette’s qualification was confirmed at the time of the World Championships however Connell just learned this week that he had earned a spot to represent Canada. The team is being coached by long time national team coach, Michel Gagnon of Longueuil.
About the upcoming Games Morissette said, “I’m very happy to be participating in my first World Games and to be able to have another experience in my career.”
“It is an incredible honour to represent Team Canada at the World Games,” said Lee Connell. “I’m going to be in a tough spot coming in as a late addition and as the 16th seed. However, it’s better to be in a tough spot than in no spot so I’m going to do everything I can to deliver the best result possible for Canada.”
“The World Games is an excellent experience for athletes and coaches,” said Michel Gagnon, Team Coach. “It’s important to be together with other non-Olympic sports and see that victory is a priority for everyone. For racquetball, the Pan American Games are our Olympics, but the World Games are a great step in the career of an athlete or coach.”
Connell’s first match takes place on July 10 with Morissette playing on July 11. To advance to the quarterfinals on July 12, both athletes must win their qualifying matches. The draws should be posted by July 9 on both the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) and World Games website.
The IRF plans to livestream matches on their Facebook Page and YouTube Channel. The World Games also plans to stream Racquetball via their streaming channels.
Results will be posted on the IRF website as well as the World Games website.
Important links:
- Racquetball on the World Games website: twg2022.com/sports/racquetball/
- Results on the World Games website : https://twg2022.com/results/
- World Games Livestream Schedule : https://bit.ly/3ImJoxl
- IRF website (results): internationalracquetball.com
- IRF on Facebook: facebook.com/internationalracquetball
- IRF on YouTube: youtube.com/InternationalRacquetballFederationIRF
Racquetball Canada is the National Sport Organization for the sport of racquetball. As a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, our mission is to coordinate, govern and encourage the advancement of racquetball from the grassroots to the elite level across Canada. Our vision is to be a visible, vibrant sport enjoyed coast to coast by Canadians of all ages and abilities. For more information visit our website.
Media Contact
Jan Hanson
Communications, Diversity & Safe Sport Director
communications@racquetballcanada.ca I 306.502.4422