Olympic qualifiers and world championships in May for Canadians
With the Olympic Games just around the corner, frantic last-minute qualifying attempts along with world championships are on the way this month.
Here are some sports and athletes to keep an eye on as they step into their final competitions before the Games.
Boxing
Caroline Veyre, left, of Canada, competes against Dayana Sanchez, of Argentina, in the women’s 57-60kg lightweight gold medal boxing final during the Pan American Games in Oshawa, Ont., on Saturday, July 25, 2015. Veyre won gold. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Men’s: May 13-22 | Women’s: May 19-22
Caroline Veyre will be fighting for an Olympic berth in Astana, Kazakhstan at the 2016 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. Other Canadian women boxers Mandy Bujold and Ariane Fortin have already qualified. Kim Clavel, Erica Adjei, Sabrina Aubin, Sara Kali and Alison Greey will also be competing, gaining valuable international experience for the next Olympic cycle. Fighters on the men’s team will be in Sofia, Bulgaria at an Olympic qualifying tournament.
Canoe/Kayak
Adam van Koeverden
May 19-22
Adam van Koeverden and Mark Oldershaw will have a go at their last remaining chance to qualify for Rio 2016 in Gainesville, Florida at the Pan American Championships which double as a Continental Olympic Qualifier. Emilie Fournel has already earned her ticket to Rio but will be competing during this event as as well.
Rowing
Canadians, left to right, Matthew Buie, Julien Bahain, with arms raised, Dean Will, and Rob Gibson coast in their boat after winning gold in the men’s quadruple sculls at the 2015 Pan Am Games at the Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course in St. Catharines, Ontario on Tuesday, July 14, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power
May 22-24
Canada’s men’s quad sculls boat must place in the top two positions at the FISA European and Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Modern Pentathlon
Donna Vakalis competes for Canada in the fencing portion of modern pentathlon.
May 22-29
Canada currently has one athlete qualified for Rio in modern pentathlete Donna Vakalis. Who else may join her will be decided in Moscow, Russia at the UIPM World Championships, where top three not already qualified to Rio 2016 from each category will go through to the Olympic Games.
Cycling – BMX
Tory Nyhaug cruised his way to gold in men’s BMX. (Photo: Jason Ransom)
May 25-29
The UCI 2016 BMX World Championships in Medellin, Colombia is TO2015 Pan Am champ Tory Nyhaug‘s last chance to gain points before the qualification rankings are announced on May 30 for Olympic BMX racing.
