Olympians need some Canadian sugar daddies...

Canada's Olympians could sure use some sugar daddies like they have in Russia, where 10 of the biggest tycoons are offering up some $12 million in bonus money.

Not that our country's athletes don't have supporters. A lot of Canada’s Olympians have got an extra boost in their drive for the podium from the Canadian Athletes Now Fund.

Formerly known as See You In (Sydney … Salt Lake City … Athens … Torino) before having to change the name as part of a long-running battle with the Canadian Olympic Committee and then winning it back again, the fund is run by the tireless Jane Roos.

Playing on China’s fascination with the number 8, they are asking Canadians to donate $8 to help Canadian athletes for the Beijing Games which begin on 08.08.08, and also also seeking MVP donors to match the donations of Canadians each day.

They’ve gotten 10,000 Canadians to chip in so far and are looking to reach 50,000 by their June 8 deadline.

But a $12 million pot created by heavy hitting financial types takes things into a different dimension. Is it a case of the Russian tycoons having more pride in their country or more disposable income?

Playing It Cool: Canadian freestyle skier Warren Tanner has joined the growing movement among Olympic athletes to go carbon neutral. The Canadian men’s rowing eight, which has its only pre-Olympic race in Lucerne this weekend, has joined the Play It Cool movement, as has kayak champ Adam Van Koeverden and former alpine star Thomas Grandi and his wife, cross country skier Sara Renner.

"China more open and transparent than IOC"

Minky Worden, media director for Human Rights Watch, dropped into the Star today as part of her promotional tour for the book she’s edited, China’s Great Leap: The Beijing Games and Olympian Human Rights Challenges.

You’ve got to like a woman who comes up with one of the all-time great lines on the International Olympic Committee.

“China is much more open, transparent, and accountable than the IOC,” said Worden over a coffee. (We didn’t feed her, btw. The athletes have concerns about food quality in China. They haven’t tried the Star cafeteria).

Worden’s book looks like an interesting read. We’ll keep you posted.

Arms strong: Canada has a new record holder in men’s shot put. Dylan Armstrong of Kamloops heaved it 20.92 metres at a meet in Belgrade, breaking the old mark of 20.86 set in 2004 by Brad Snyder.

Grass Greener: They’re talking about wrapping hemp around one of the stadiums for the 2012 London Olympics. Thought this was a joke at first, but it wasn’t on the satirical website, the Onion. It’s being reported by Building Design magazine. Wonder if they’ll get Ross Rebagliati to cut the ribbon.

Pining for the days of the old Speedo...

Enough about the new Speedo swimsuit already.

The new technology that has turned the swimming world on its ear is about one thing and one thing only – lining the pockets of the swimwear giant.

Forget the hooey being spouted by company officials about advancing technology and advancing the sport.

American phenom Michael Phelps was on course to keep breaking world records and challenge Mark Spitz’s record of seven Olympic gold medals in Beijing before the Speedo LZR Racer came out.

Now, the swimsuit has become as much the story as Phelps and has even become a distraction.

Takes 15 minutes to get into the darn thing – that could be an Olympic event itself. Or a reality show. And don’t doubt that either could happen.

Shoot Out at Woodlands Park: Don’t worry, Mayor Miller, this is about a duel for Olympic archery spots from May 31 to June 2 at Woodlands Park, near the Metro Zoo . Public is welcome. Among those competing for a trip to Beijing is Scarborough’s Crispin Duenas.

 

When that Olympian you raised isn't calling ...

If you’re the parent of an Olympian and you’re not hearing too much from your kid these days, don’t take it personally.

We’re entering in lockdown mode, that time where athletes getting ready for the big show are trying to block out all distractions in order to harness all their mental and emotional energy.

Runner Gary Reed, world silver medalist at 800 metres, told the Star on a trip to Victoria how important it is for him to get to Beijing with a full “emotional tank.”

Here Tyler Christopher, the 400-metre world bronze medalist in 2005, describes how he handles things.

Remember, there’ll be plenty of time for get-togethers after the Games.

Marshall casualty of "Olympic fever"...

Neal Marshall couldn’t understand the logic behind his demotion as a coach. Neither could star speed skater Cindy Klassen. Count me in that group, too.

Finn Halvorsen, the guy whose restructuring of the Speed Skating Canada coaching ranks put Marshall in a position where he felt he had to resign, didn’t give a clear reason as to why Marshall responsibilities were changed during a telephone interview yesterday.

He talked about the kind of philosophy he wants in place heading towards the 2010 Winter Games, but never straight out said why it meant the guy who helped Klassen to five Olympic medals in Turin – and the guy she still wanted to work with – was deemed unworthy to still holding down that duty.

One insider attributes it to “Olympic fever,” the intense pressure sports administrators are feeling to deliver in 2010. It’ll only intensify if moves like this backfire.

Canada has a new high flyer in women’s pole vault …

Getting things back on a Summer Games track, Canada has a new high flyer in women’s pole vaulting, Kelsie Hendry of Saskatoon.

Hendry put herself in position to book a trip to the Beijing Games when she had a vault of 4.55 metres in a meet in Provo, Utah, on the weekend. It was at first thought she broke Dana Ellis of Kitchener's previous national record of 4.51, but it turns out there were not enough competitors to make it an official event.

The local Daily Herald was on the scene to cover the event.

Klassen upset and mystified by move ...

BERNARD WEIL/TORONTO STAR

Cindy Klassen won five medals at the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy.

Count speed skating star Cindy Klassen among those upset and mystified by the turn of events that saw coach Neal Marshall resign from the Canadian team as it heads towards the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

“I’m not happy that Neal’s gone,” Klassen told the Star in an interview this morning. “He was an integral part in why I did so well, especially in 2006 (when she won five Olympic medals in Turin). He’s an amazing coach. I’m sad to see him go.”

She also added: “I don’t blame Neal for the decision he made. I completely understand why he had to do it since he wouldn’t be able to write our programs or coach as effectively in this new role.”

Klassen said she can’t understand the logic behind the move. We hope to have more on this – maybe even Speed Skating Canada’s rationale – in tomorrow’s paper.

Classless sendoff for classy Marshall …

When Speed Skating Canada makes changes that cause the departure of the coach who helped Cindy Klassen to five medals at the 2006 Turin Olympics, you'd like to think they have darn good reasons for doing it.

We haven't heard them yet.

Instead, all we get yesterday is a smarmy press released entitled "Speed Skating Coach On To New Adventures"  and no answers to messages left for long track program director Finn Halvorsen and his boss, Jean Dupre.

Halvorsen is a guy with an impressive track record. He must have his reasons. Be nice to get them.

Marshall, meanwhile, leaves with this quote: "I think I had a lot to offer and was valuable, but one person will not make or break a team of athletes this incredibly talented and motivated. The coaches we have are incredible, too. Those reasons alone are why our team is going to kick ass."

How many departing coaches have left on that kind of note?

Here's wishing him well.

Big blow to Canadian Speed Skating

Speed Skating Canada suffered a big blow today with the departure of veteran coach Neal Marshall, who guided Cindy Klassen to her five-medal performance at the 2006 Turin Olympics.

It’s a big blow to the team heading into its final full winter season before the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, although they should have the budget to hire a top notch replacement.

Klassen had come to rely a lot on Marshall not only for his technical advice but for his calm demeanour under pressure. It may not be so easy to establish the same rapport with a new coach.

Speed Skating Canada put out a release saying that Marshall was leaving and wishing him well on his “new adventures,” but gave no details on where he is heading.

Hopefully, we can bring you up to date soon.

You know it's the Olympics when ...

"Hey ET Canada, I'm Adam Van Koeverden. I'm going for gold this summer in Beijing."

There are certain signs that tell you an Olympics are fast approaching. A sure one could be seen this week at the Burloak Canoe Club in Oakville.

Canada's Olympic athletes are largely ignored outside the Games -- even ones with the impressive resume of Van Koeverden, reigning world and Olympic 500-metre K-1 champ. But he attracted a huge crowd of reporters, photographers and cameramen when he made himself available for a meet and greet with the media, along with teammates Mark Oldershaw, Brady Reardon and Chris Pellini.

The Burloak Club had never seen the likes of it, not even during 1984 Olympic champ Larry Cain's heydey. Even Entertainment Tonight Canada showed up with host Rosey Edeh, no slouch herself as an athlete as a sixth-place finisher in the women's 400-metre hurdles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

The people at Burloak were great hosts, with some volunteers -- including Mark Oldershaw's mom --baking for the occassion (Brownies to die for!) Chinese lanterns and umbrellas, leftover from an "Beijing-themed "icebreaker" event at the club, decorated the room where the press conference was held.

Not shy about expressing his opinion, Van Koeverden created some headlines when he lit into former figure skating star Elvis Stojko for telling current athletes to think twice about competing in Beijing.

The photo op – all four kayakers on 16-Mile Creek – almost turned out very costly for Reardon when his kayak collided with a motor boat being used to ferry photographers.

But he emerge unscathed, thankfully. Reardon's father, Jim, who coached Larry Cain, stroked the Canadian K-4 in the 1,000 metres at the 1972 Munich Olympics, the same spot his son currently hold. The proud father was out on Wednesday as well.

The thing is athletes can get hurt doing goofy things at this time of year. Witness world swim champion Brent Hayden wrenching his back doing a photo shoot for Speedo wearing the new swimsuit.

Canada doesn’t need any more casualties.