Rowan Barrett, Canada Basketball’s Assistant GM and Executive VP of the Senior Men’s Program had this reaction: “I think it was pretty hard for him to loose with the choices that he had. In Kansas, he went with a coach…who has a tremendous track record of putting players in the position they need to be in offensively.”

Eighteen-year-old Thornhill, ON, native Andrew Wiggins (@22wiggins) has been tagged as the number one NCAA basketball prospect by everyone from ESPN to Rivals.com, and by many as a future NBA superstar.

Tomorrow, he will officially begin his journey by accepting an NCAA Division 1 scholarship to either Florida State (@Seminoles_com), Kansas (@KUathletics), Kentucky (@KentuckyMBB) or North Caronlina (@UNC_Basketball).

Wiggins also represents tremendous opportunity for Canada Basketball (@canbball) heading into the 2016 Rio Games and beyond – especially considering his Olympic bloodlines: his mother, Marita Payne-Wiggins, is a double silver medallist who competed in track and field for Canada in 1984 and 1988.

Regardless of his collegiate destination, we look forward to seeing more of Wiggins wearing the maple leaf on the global stage.

The Wiggins ‘Final Four’:

Florida State 

The Wiggins family has deep roots with Florida State. Both his mother and father, Mitchell, attended the university. Mother Marita was

Marita Payne-Wiggins (front) competes at the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles. Photo: Canadian Olympic Committee

the NCAA 400 meter champion in 1982 and 1984, and Mitchell – a former Canadian national team member as well – competed and was a star for two seasons for the FSU basketball team before turning pro. Playing for the Seminols would give Wiggins the opportunity to be the central figure of the team and test himself against bigger programs.

Kentucky  

The University of Kentucky already has the #1 recruiting class of 2013 (according to ESPN), thanks to several five-star recruits committing to the team for the fall. Aside from defending NCAA champions Louisville, Kentucky is also the current preseason favourite to win the 2014 title thanks to their new crop of talent and the many returning athletes from last year’s squad. This choice would allow Wiggins to be pushed to his limits against the best competition in practice every day. A big selling point is also coach John Callipari – a man with a reputation for turning athletes into pros after just one year of college play.

North Carolina 

Be like Mike? That’s the question for Wiggins as he has the opportunity to sign with Michael Jordan’s storied North Carolina Tar Heels. History has its appeal, as does the school’s schedule of high-level opponents to test Wiggins. NC is expected to be competitive next year and could make a deep run into March Madness with Wiggins as their leader, plus head coach Roy Williams has two NCAA titles under his belt (2005 and 2009).

Kansas

Want to talk about deep Canadian roots at a school? The first basketball coach at the University of Kansas was James Naismith – literally, basketball’s inventor. The team is coming off an appearance in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament and is poised to do well again. Head coach Bill Self is a great motivator who knows how to win. Wiggins would turn into the focal point of the offence and would likely take on the scoring duties of the NBA-bound Ben McLemore.

Wiggins is expected to make his announcement by 12:15 p.m. EST.

- George Fadel

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Related Tweets

Tomorrow will be a huge day for @22wiggins. All the best in making your big decision. ow.ly/kYjEH

— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) May 13, 2013

Arguably the best prep prospect since LeBron James, Andrew Wiggins will decide on Tuesday between four schools: on.si.com/125ZqQk

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 13, 2013

Leonard Hamilton Roy Williams-John Calipari-Bill Self will be nervous Tuesday when a call comes from Andrew Wigginsespn.go.com/mens-college-b…

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) May 13, 2013

Cool “@adamzagoria: Meet the Man Who Will Break the Andrew Wiggins Story zagsblog.com/articles/meet-… @granttraylor @rfulford @thebiglead”

— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) May 13, 2013

Playing for the Portland Thorns, Sinclair scored twice and was featured in all 270 minutes played in the league’s opening month of regular season action. Thorns FC posted a perfect record of 3W-0D-0L in April.

Canadians can catch Sinclair and the rest of the national team in action on June 2^nd when they face the USA in Toronto in a rematch of last year’s Olympic semifinal.

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“Her love of sport and her lifestyle ignited my passion,” said Jessica. “I learned to love skating through her. You work hard, but you do it because you love it.”

Kathy played several roles when her kids were growing up. Mother, wife, chef, trainer and role model were just a few. But as one-time Olympic speed skater herself, the biggest impact in her children’s sporting life may have been when she became their coach.

For Jamie, 28, and Jessica, 25, their journeys to Vancouver 2010 would start under their mom’s watchful eye at the Edmonton Speed Skating Club.

The entire Gregg family poses with the Stanley Cup with father Randy. / Photo courtesy of Gregg family.

Their father Randy, a two-Olympian and NHL hockey player, was on the road a lot travelling with the Oilers during the early parts of their lives. Kathy would naturally have a lot influence on her kids as they were growing up.

Both parents represented Canada decades before them and had passed on many great memories of their Olympic experience.

“It was instilled in us as kids that representing your country is the highest honour,” said Jamie. “The Olympics growing up was the best you could do and the highest achievement. That was my dream as a kid to represent Canada there.”

The parents let their children dabble in many sports before focusing on one. However, the future Olympians would get their start in speed skating at the ages of six (Jamie) and five (Jessica) respectively.

“We had a very normal childhood for kids with two Olympians as parents,” said Jamie. “I think other kids had more demanding parents growing up than I did. With them being involved before, I think it gave them a better perspective about the pressure that can be put on children. They let us do our own thing and succeed.”

Kathy would have the right mixture of seriousness and playfulness as a coach to keep the kids interested. She would invite all their friends to train with them, figuring having friends around would push them to go to practise more.

“(My mom is) really good technically and sees things that I was doing wrong,” said Jamie. “Growing up she used to put in a lot of games to keep us into it. All the kids respond well to her. She makes sure people are enjoying themselves while passing on her knowledge.”

Humble and modest, Kathy never bragged about her experiences on the world stage. The topic only came up as a motivational tool for the kids.

“Growing up I knew she had been to the Olympics,” said Jessica. “But she never really brought it up unless it was to motivate us. She’s my mom and I wanted to be like her and my goal was to be at the Olympics. She knew what it would take and the dedication it required.”

Kathy’s proper balancing act of mom and coach helped them along the way.

“She’s never put pressure on me and is always there to support me,” said Jamie. “The fact that she has done this herself gives me confidence and listen to what she has to say. She knows what she’s talking about and I appreciate the advice she gives me.”

Both siblings added their mother is the reason as to why they have been so successful.

“I’d say thank you for making me who I am,” said Jamie, referencing his mom. “I couldn’t have achieved anything I’ve done without her.”

Early Building Blocks

An Olympic breeding program; you could blame the Edmonton based Gregg family for such a funny thought. After all, the parents have such impressive pedigrees.

(From left to right) Ryan, Jamie, Jessica and Sarah. / Photo courtesy of Gregg family.

Father Randy, a nine-season NHL pro and the winner of five Stanley Cups with the Oiler dynasty of the 90s, was part of the Olympic program and represented Canada at the 1980 Lake Placid Games and in Calgary in 1988.

In Lake Placid, Randy would meet his future wife – Kathy Voigt, a speed skater competing in her second consecutive Winter Games for Canada. Together the couple would eventually have four kids – sons Jamie and Ryan, followed by daughters Jessica and Sarah.

Ryan flourished in baseball – playing for the University of Calgary – while the other three siblings followed in their mother’s footsteps and excelled at speed skating. Jamie and Jessica made their Olympic debut in 2010 with Jessica winning the first medal for the Greggs –silver in the 3000m relay.

“We’ve both been high level athletes and we wanted our kids to be involved because we got so much out of it,” said Kathy. “But it never crossed our minds how good they’d be.”

Travelling the World

Now Kathy and Randy spend a lot of their time travelling as two of the most dedicated parents you’ll find on the speed skating tour. They consider themselves to be lucky enough to have the means to travel the world and continue to watch their kids skate.

Having a taste of home is sometimes the advantage Jamie and Jessica need during the big events in which they compete.

(From left to right) Kathy, Jamie and Jessica. / Photo courtesy of Gregg family.

“They come out and support almost all my races and travels around the world,” said Jamie. “It’s really great having my parents there. I love trying to find them in the crowd with their Canadian flag. It gives me a little sense of home and allows me to relax.”

The entire Gregg family did not have far to travel to see Jamie and Jessica walk into the Olympic Stadium in 2010. The parents were in the crowd and Kathy was especially excited to see them representing the family in a sport in which she had once excelled.

“As a skater I realized how close it is to making it and not making it,” said Kathy. “Whether they made it or not, you’re proud of how hard they’ve worked and all the sacrifices they’ve made.”

Most recently, Kathy and Randy travelled to Sochi for a World Cup test event to watch Jamie compete. They have already marked down when they will go when their children hopefully qualify for their second consecutive Olympic Game

If everything goes as planned, the family will have to book another flight to Sochi in February 2014 to see their kids compete at the Adler Arena and become two-time speed skating Olympians…just like their mom.

-          George Fadel

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After a disappointing showing at the 2012 London Games, the native of Whitby, ON, and -70kg judoka has soared to the number one ranking in the world. In her Olympic debut, Zupancic would lose her first match of the tournament to the eventual gold medallist from France Lucie Decosse – an experience that has shaped her into a true champion.

“I gave everything I possibly could in my fight and lost in the last 20 seconds,” said Zupancic, 23, about the Games.

Since then, Zupancic has rebounded and been on a tear reaching the podium in four of the six events she’s entered; winning three gold medals – including a Pan American Championship title in San Jose in April.

After starting the year ranked 15^th overall, Zupancic is now at the top of her -70kg division after winning the recent Grand Slam in Baku this past weekend.

“It’s really a cool feeling being in first, it’s incredible,” the judoka exclaimed. “I’ve been working so hard to get to this level, and now I’m going to try even harder to stay. I don’t feel any kind of pressure in particular, I’m just going to focus on the formula that got me here.”

After London, Zupancic took some time off to refocus and consider what went wrong during her performance. Photo: Judo Canada

New Beginnings 

After London, Zupancic took some time off to refocus and consider what went wrong during her performance. She would have more than four months after the Olympic Games to prep for her first major competition.

Using her memories of London for motivation, Zupancic closed out the 2012 calendar year finishing in fifth place at the Grand Slam Tokyo Jigoro Kano Cup before starting an incredible run in 2013.

The biggest change came after she realized she had not done enough to mentally prepare herself for London. Zupanic admitted that all competitors, including herself, show up in the best shape of their lives for the Olympic Games.

However, the difference in performance a lot of the time lies on those who put heavy emphasis on the non-physical aspects of their sport.

“I really focused on my mental game,” said Zupancic. “Finding my confidence and trusting myself was really important. I feel like I’ve put in my time and done all the work. I felt like it was my time to win.”

Training with a legend

Zupancic got her start in the sport as a five-year-old at the Formokan Judo Club in Oshawa, ON. She quickly excelled in the sport and won a Canadian U20 Championship in 2006 at the young age of 16.

A rising star at 18, Zupancic relocated to Montreal to take part in the national training centre program, where she is coached by idol and two-time Olympic medallist Nicolas Gill.

Gill’s legendary career is one from which Zupancic can learn. The native of Montreal went eight years between his bronze at Barcelona 1992 and silver at Sydney 2000. Like any athlete, Gill had his shares of ups and downs on the way to the most decorated Canadian judoka career.

Zupanic has looked to Gill for inspiration since she was a kid. She remembers her father waking her up in the middle of the night to watch Gill fight in the gold medal match at those Sydney Games.

“That was moment where I said that if a Canadian can make the finals in Judo, so can I,” said Zupancic. “He was my inspiration to pursue this Olympic dream and know it’s possible to be on the podum.”

Teachings of Japan

Zupancic got her start in the sport as a five-year-old at the Formokan Judo Club in Oshawa, ON. Photo: Judo Canada

Zupancic’s biggest lesson about rebounding may have come during a non-judo related incident, but one that would change the way she looks at life forever.

At the age of 19, she was sent to Japan for one month to train with the Komatsu Judo team and  moved there full-time in July 2010.

Her life would forever change in March of 2011 after the devastating tsunami earthquake of Japan struck during one of her training camps. Although not harmed, the traumatizing experience left Zupancic with a new outlook on her team and her time in Japan.

“I realized how much I bonded with my teammates even if we did not speak the same language,” said Zupancic. “I felt a lot of pressure from Canada to come home for my safety. I was thinking that if my teammates are here, that I shouldn’t leave. Supporting each other got us through it.”

Strong Family Ties

The members of the Zupancic family do let each other get hung up on the speed bumps in life.

Kelita comes from a family of judokas. Her father, Edward, is a fourth degree black belt and one of her first coaches. Her whole family has been involved in the sport, including mom Annette and Kelita’s three younger brothers.

All three of her brothers: Anton, 21, Ryan, 19, and Andrew, 18, excel at hockey and have been drafted into the Ontario Hockey League.

“My parents really instilled hard work in us and taught us to support each other,” said Kelita. “We’re really all doing what we love. Family support means everything to us.”

The entire Zupancic family will be supporting Kelita all the way toward Rio 2016. The star judoka has fully committed to training for her goal of an Olympic medal.

“I’ve put in my time,” said Zupancic. “I’m no longer that new up and comer. I’ve been to the Olympics and I feel like I know myself better. I’m a mature athlete and I’m aiming for the podium.”

- George Fadel

Related Videos

Related Tweets

@kelitazupancic — Congrats on a superb result over the weekend, my friend! Cheering for ya

— Darcy Marquardt (@Darcyrows) May 6, 2013

@kelitazupancic.Congratulations!Way to represent Canada so well!

— Catriona Le May Doan (@Catrionald) May 6, 2013

Congrats @kelitazupancic gold and #1 world rank @ Baku Grand Slam today! Another step towards @glasgow2014 fb.me/xcgVrQqd

— Commonwealth Canada (@cgc_jcc) May 5, 2013

Congrats! “@kelitazupancic: Won the gold medal at the Baku Grand Slam today! World ranking #1!”

— Karen Cockburn(@Karen_Cockburn) May 5, 2013

Félicitation à Kelita Zupancic qui est maintenant numéro 1 mondial!! // Congrats to Kelita Zupancic who is now ranked number 1 in the world!

— Antoine Valois-F (@antoine_vf) May 5, 2013

Travel costs can be expensive and hospitals can be dreary, but this is an opportunity for the patients to feel at ease and comfortable with their loved ones close by.

McDonald’s, a proud supporter of the Olympic movement, is celebrating their 20th anniversary of McHappy Day.  You can contribute as one dollar from every Big Mac, Happy Meal, and hot McCafé beverage you buy will be donated to Ronald McDonald Houses and other local children’s charities across Canada.

Quick Facts:

1981 – The year the first Ronald McDonald House Opened in Toronto.

14 – Ronald McDonald Houses now found across Canada.

10,000 – Families staying at the Houses across Canada.

2014 – The year that McDonald’s plans on doubling the number of families staying at  their Houses. It’s the support of people like you that make it possible!

A History of Smiles

Olympians and Paralympians at Ronald McDonald House and McDonald’s

Canadians Supporting this Great Cause on Twitter

We need your help! Support #McHappyDay May 8. $1 from Big Macs, Happy Meals, and hot McCafé beverages will be donated to @rmhc

— Patrick Chan (@Pchiddy) May 2, 2013

Thanks to all the families, restaurants, crew and everyone participating in #McHappy Day 2013.PHOTOS facebook.com/media/set/?set…

— RMH Toronto (@RMHToronto) May 8, 2013

We are lovin’ all this #McHappyDay support! Have you been to a McD’s yet today? ^JB

— McDonald’s Canada (@McD_Canada) May 8, 2013

At the game last night? Then be sure to support McHappy Day today with a small donation when you redeem your Big Mac Minute winning ticket!

— Ottawa Senators (@NHL_Sens) May 8, 2013

Today is #McHappyDay head to your local McD’s restaurant to support @rmhc and other children’s charities ^JB

— McDonald’s Canada (@McD_Canada) May 8, 2013

What could be better than eating a Big Mac for a good cause? Sign me up. #McHappy Day.

— Jim Lang (@JimLang590) May 8, 2013

Olympian @kelseytitmarsh enjoying a #McCafe beverage in support of #McHappyDay twitpic.com/cp4ai3 ^JB

— McDonald’s Canada (@McD_Canada) May 8, 2013

Pretty excited to be flipping burgers with @jasonburnett_ @johntoryshow tomorrow for McHappy day! Come visit at 1735 Danforth Avenue!

— Martin Reader (@martinjreader) May 8, 2013

Kingsbury, 20, captured the 2013 FIS World Championship title in moguls and silver in dual moguls. During the 2012-13 season, the native of Deux-Montagnes, QC, placed first on the podium five times and added a bronze medal to win the Freestyle Crystal Globe and the Moguls Crystal Globe for the second consecutive season.

Maltais (Petite-Rivière-St-François, QC), 33, reached the snowboard cross podium six times during the FIS season and captured four gold medals and two silvers. The two-time Olympian and 2006 bronze medallist was awarded the snowboard cross Crystal Globe for the third consecutive season and the fourth time in her career. She topped off her season by winning a silver medal at the 2013 FIS World Championships.

“Olympian Shirley Firth Larsson lived an inspiring life, filled to the brim with accomplishments the likes of which many athletes can only dream. As a 29-time National Champion and four-time member of the Canadian Olympic Team, she proudly represented Canada and the North, serving as a shining example of excellence to Aboriginal women everywhere. Her contribution to sport and to Canada will not be forgotten. On behalf of the Canadian Olympic Committee, I offer my heartfelt condolences to her husband, her three daughters, her sister and fellow Olympian, and to the rest of her family and friends during this difficult time.”

- Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee

RELATED TWEETS

The cross-country skiing community mourns passing of Shirley Firth: cccski.com/Media/In-the-N… via @cccski @cdnolympicteam @caaws @fastandfemale

— Cross Country Canada (@cccski) May 1, 2013

Very sad, 59 years-old. RT @cccski The cross-country skiing community mourns passing of Shirley Firth: cccski.com/Media/In-the-N…

— Women and Sport (@CAAWS) May 1, 2013

‘She was a one-of-a-kind lady, a true role model’ – Trailblazing Olympic skier Shirley Firth-Larsson passes away – norj.ca/2013/05/she-wa…

— Northern Journal(@Northernjournal) May 1, 2013

“@ascnwt: The North Lost a great ambassador of sport, mentor to the youth & most of all a great person.” Shirley Firth-Larsson @yihahockey

— Yukon Native Hockey (@YIHAHockey) May 1, 2013

Sad to hear of the passing of Shirley Firth. One of the first to pave the way for NWT athletes on the international stage like myself. #RIP

— Michael Gilday (@ykgday) May 1, 2013

Team North at The National Aboriginal Hockey Championships would like to dedicate the remainder of our games to Shirley Firth-Larsson.

— AboriginalSportNWT (@ASCNWT) May 1, 2013

We lost a a great woman yesterday, Shirley Firth-Larsson you leave behind a grand legacy. You will never be forgotten sportnorth.com

— Sport North(@SportNorth) May 1, 2013

Shirley Firth Larsson, Aboriginal woman who competed at 4 Olympics for Canada in cross-country skiing, has died: cbc.sh/gWR9TZS

— CBCSports (@cbcsports) May 1, 2013

The NHL playoffs are underway, and in a country where the sport of hockey is woven into the very fabric of its culture, the race for the Stanley Cup matters … a lot.

This time around four Canadian teams have made the playoffs – the Maple Leafs for the first time in nine years. The Canucks, Canadiens and Senators will join them in chasing hockey’s Holy Grail. Defining which of these rosters make up ‘Canada’s team’ is a hot topic of debate.

But the truth of the matter is ‘Canada’s team’ is not in the NHL playoffs at all.

It will be in Stockholm, Sweden fighting for the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey Championship title.

For the Canadians, ranked fifth heading into Sochi based on their 2012 world tournament, the tournament is an opportunity to make a final impression on GM Steve Yzerman and his staff before they decide the Olympic roster.

“We have received a great response from the players that we have approached, and we are very pleased with the roster that we have assembled to date,” said Yzerman, a two-time Olympian and 2002 gold medallist.  “We look forward to getting together as a team in Stockholm.”

Yzerman will be joined on the selection committee by Doug Armstrong, Ken Holland, Kevin Lowe, Bob Nicholson and Brad Pascall who will have a close eye on the field.

Canada’s 2013 roster includes eleven players with World Championship experience, and 16 of the 22 players have international experience. However, only one player has Olympic experience – Eric Staal (Thunderbay, ON) of the Carolina Hurricanes and a member of the 2010 gold medal team. Six of the 22 are getting their first crack of international experience representing the Maple Leaf.

Furthermore, the team will be led by Lindy Ruff – an associate coach under Mike Babcock at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Ruff has firsthand experience of what it takes to win and will be a valuable presence behind the bench.

This is another opportunity to impress for NHL superstars like Steve Stamkos (Markham, ON) and Claude Giroux (Hearst, ON) and rising stars Matt Duchene (Haliburton, ON), Jordan Eberle (Regina, SK) and Taylor Hall (Kingston, ON) – all looking to make their Olympic debuts.

Despite the impressive names on the game sheet at this tournament, Canadian hockey fans have historically paid more attention to the NHL playoffs – where the this season’s most successful players will battle for the Stanley Cup.

Worlds are never viewed as a proper gage of a country’s true standing, not when 18 of Canada’s 23 Vancouver gold medallists are unable to compete this year due to being in a playoff chase with their respective NHL teams. An additional two skaters – Scott Niedermayer (Cranbrook, BC) and Chris Pronger (Dryden, ON) – have also since retired.

The Worlds have generally received good ratings the last couple years. This year’s ratings could see an increase when you consider what could be at stake for the athletes.

But you can bet, in true Canadian fashion, that the team selected will be playing for nothing but a gold medal over the 16 days of competition taking place.

Canada plays its first round robin game on Saturday, May 4 at 10:15 a.m. EST against Denmark.

On Monday, however, 34-year-old Jason Collins, did more than just remind us. He changed sports forever.

By announcing he was gay in an environment infamous for looking the other way, the National Basketball League veteran made a change to the sporting community that will forever affect the way people think.

He told Sports Illustrated: “The most you can do is stand up for what you believe in.”

Jason Collins. CP PHOTO/Aaron Harris

In acting on his words, Mr. Collins has displayed the kind of courage the Olympic movement is firmly based upon.

Sport unites us all.

Sure, there will be debate. But when it’s all said and done, a new world of potential has opened up in the sporting community and otherwise because of the courage Collins has displayed.

Athletes and coaches at every level, in every country, practice and compete together to get better at what they do … to find excellence.

We become better people, better athletes, better parents and better coaches – because of sport.

Thanks to Jason Collins, we now live in a better world – because of sport.

Related tweets

From twin brother and NBA athlete Jarron Collins

You never know what a new day brings. Hope everyone has a good week and is able to handle the challenges and obstacles that they may face.

— jarron collins (@jarronctwin) April 29, 2013

Four-time Olympic medallist Adam van Koeverden

Congratulations & much respect to @jasoncollins34 for his eloquence, bravery and leadership. sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/… (via @bruce_arthur)

— Adam van Koeverden (@vankayak) April 29, 2013

Olympic speed skater Anastasia Bucsis

So stupidly proud of Jason Collins- I hope his courage inspires more of us. Life is good. #progress #equality #love

— Anastasia Bucsis (@anastasure) April 29, 2013

CBC Sports

The White House, Bill Clinton, and David Stern among those praising NBA player Jason Collins, who announced he’s gay: cbc.sh/WDsZInj

— CBCSports (@cbcsports) April 29, 2013

CBC host George Stroumboulopoulos

Big props to @jasoncollins34 for coming out as 1st gay player in big 4 sports tiny.cc/m6dbww Takes real #courage to lead change

— G. Stroumboulopoulos (@strombo) April 29, 2013