Weekend Wrap Up, March 14, 2016 – Canadian Foil Athletes Qualify for Nomination for Rio
Canadian Fencing Federation – Weekend Wrap Up, March 14, 2016 – Canadian Foil Athletes Qualify for Nomination for Rio
It was the last men’s and women’s foil competition on the FIE calendar that will be taken into account for qualification for Rio, and Canada was successful in qualifying two athletes who will be nominated to the Canadian Olympic Team.
Maximilien Van Haaster (Montreal, QC) took part in the Men’s Foil Grand Prix in Havana, Cuba this past weekend and maintained his top Pan Am zone qualification position, making him eligible for nomination for Rio.
It was the last women’s foil qualification event in Havana, Cuba as well and several Canadians took part. Kelleigh Ryan (Ottawa, ON) and Shannon Comerford (Saskatoon, SK) both advanced to the top 64 in the event, finishing 54th and 61st respectively. Eleanor Harvey (Hamilton, ON) did not take part due to NCAA Regional finals, however her recent top 8 and top 16 finishes in World Cups put her high enough in the rankings to maintain the top Pan Am zone spot and therefore eligible for nomination for Rio.
Congratulations to both Maximilien Van Haaster and Eleanor Harvey! A formal qualification announcement will be made in May when the qualification process is completed for all weapons.
Canadian Men’s and Women’s Epee athletes will be competing next weekend in the last Grand Prix qualification event in Budapest, Hungary. Canada has athletes in contention in each event.
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