Photo by Photo Submitted
HOT START – Yukoners show their team spirit by waving flags during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Canada 55+ Games in Strathcona County, Alta., Wednesday. On the first day of competition Thursday, Team Yukon won 27 medals. Photos courtesy TEAM YUKON
Photo by Photo Submitted
ANOTHER ROUND – Stan and Joyce Fuller are attending their seventh Canada 55+ Games – a Yukon record. Photos courtesy TEAM YUKON
Photo by Photo Submitted
EYES ONE UP – Bob Edzerza lines up a shot in men’s eight-ball billiards action in Strathcona County, Alta. Photos courtesy TEAM YUKON
Photo by Photo Submitted
KEEPING CALM – Ida Calmagane waits for the opening ceremony to begin Wednesday. Photos courtesy TEAM YUKON
Photo by Photo Submitted
DELIGHTING THE CROWD – Senior gymnasts from Alberta amazed Canada 55+ Games participants during the opening ceremony Wednesday. Photos courtesy TEAM YUKON
Team Yukon hauled in an impressive 27 medals in the first day of competition at the Canada 55+ Games in Sherwood Park, Alta.
Team Yukon hauled in an impressive 27 medals in the first day of competition at the Canada 55+ Games in Sherwood Park, Alta.
The team, which consists of 130 athletes, earned a slew of medals thanks to some standout individual performances in cycling, track and field, and swimming.
“We are doing exceptionally well,” said co-chef de mission Sue Meikle told the Star yesterday.
The majority of the territory’s medals came in track and field, with several athletes winning multiple medals yesterday.
Brenda Dion earned three gold in sprint and javelin, long distance runner Richard Zral earned silver and two bronze, while John Hall won gold and two bronze in sprint and long jump.
In the 75+ 100-metre event, Hall recovered from an early fall to win his second bronze medal on the day.
Meanwhile, Tom Parlee picked up gold in javelin and long jump, runner Dave Kalles earned two silver, and Roger Hanberg, Hank Leenders, Nick Stratis, Sheila Senger, and Laurie Drummond also picked up medals.
Parlee, president of the ElderActive Association of the Yukon, was impressed by the early medal tally.
“I’m not the only one with gold medals hanging around my neck,” he said. “We’ve got quite a raft of them. We did surprisingly well, considering that Alberta has 800 members and we have only 130 out and about.”
Parlee, 67, threw a seasonal-best 25.41 metres to win gold in 65+ javelin, but pointed out Leender’s toss of 25.78 metres in the 75+ category was much more noteworthy.
Parlee wouldn’t reveal what distance won him his long jump gold.
“I’m not even going to talk about the distance,” he chuckled.
In the pool, three Yukon swimmers picked up two medals each, with Nesta Leduc winning two gold, Linda Augustine earning gold and silver, and Steven Duncan pacing to both gold and bronze.
Cyclists Gail Graigen and Mike McCann each scored a gold medal of their own yesterday, while Louise Girard rounded out the Yukon medal count with a bronze.
The Canada 55+ Games will conclude Saturday, when the team sports wrap up their tournaments.
See full results in the Star next week.
In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.
Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.
Be the first to comment