CANADIAN FENCING TEAM NOMINATED FOR TORONTO 2015 PAN AM GAMES

Eighteen athletes chosen to represent Canada in eighteenth appearance of Fencing at the Pan American Games

TORONTO (June 11, 2015) – On Thursday, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Canadian Fencing Federation announced eighteen athletes nominated to represent Team Canada at the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games from July 10 to 26.

The athletes selected to compete in the fencing competition include:  Hugues Boisvert-Simard; Maxime Brinck-Croteau; Pamela Brind’Amour; Alanna Goldie; Shaul Gordon; Eleanor Harvey; Malinka Hoppe; Jean Lelion; Leonora Mackinnon; Gabriella Page; Mark Peros; Joseph Polossifakis; Marissa Ponich; Anthony Prymack; Alexis Rudkovska; Kelleigh Ryan; Eli Schenkel; and Maximilien Van Haaster.

The athletes earned their spots through results from the past season’s World Cup circuit and the 2015 Senior Pan Am Championships. Fencing is known for captivating its audience, as it is an elegant, intelligent, and modern sport that challenges both body and mind through an effective blend of patience and determination, discipline and competitiveness. All three weapons (foil, sabre and épée) will be featured at the Pan American Games.

The team is split into six groups: three men and three women’s teams, with one group of three in each weapon. Each of the six groups is led by their own coach.

Several members of the team will head to Moscow to compete in the World Championships in the lead-up to the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games. They’ll be heading straight to Toronto for the beginning of the Pan American Games following the event.

The Fencing competition will take place at the CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre & Field House between July 20 and 25, with the team competing in all twelve events: men’s and women’s sabre (individual and team); men’s and women’s épée (individual and team); and men’s and women’s foil (individual and team).

Canada will field the largest team in its Pan American Games history with more than 700 athletes expected to be named to the Team at the Games in Toronto. With TORONTO 2015 providing a “home Games” experience, as well as a number of qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, these Games will offer a tremendous experience for Canada’s high performance athletes.

The Canadian Fencing Federation is a non-profit, amateur sports association and is the national governing body of fencing. It includes ten provincial fencing associations, which in turn represent over two hundred local clubs from coast to coast. Its mandate is to establish, develop and support fencing in Canada and to represent Canada on the international scene.

QUOTES

“Fencing is a sport that requires its athletes to have the finest precision and greatest dedication. Today’s team nominations are a true reflection of that. I have full confidence these fencers will make their country proud this summer in the Golden Horseshoe. Congratulations to each athlete who made the team.”

Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee

“Congratulations to the amazing group of athletes nominated by Fencing Canada today. I wish this team the very best of success as they prepare to take on the best that the Americas has to offer, all of Canada will be behind you. En garde!”

Curt Harnett, TORONTO 2015 Team Canada Chef de Mission

"I am excited to welcome my Pan American Fencing family to Toronto for the 2015 Pan American Games. The TORONTO 2015 organizers have worked tirelessly to create a world class environment and we are prepared to host the best games ever. I am extremely encouraged by our national team athletes' recent results and it looks like their tireless dedication and work are on track to see them climb the podium in Toronto."

Brad Goldie, President, Canadian Fencing Federation

“I am excited for our team to compete at the home Games in Toronto. I am confident that they will do our country proud and that we will have numerous medal performances. This event is a great lead up prior to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.”

Monica Peterson, High Performance Coordinator, Canadian Fencing Federation

“Participating in this year's Pan Am Games is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am incredibly grateful for. Not only are the Games themselves a very big deal, but having them here in our home country is something truly special. For the first time ever, there will be a massive hometown crowd filled with friends, family, and fellow Canadians cheering me on during a huge competition. I am so excited to feel the energy of that hometown crowd. Last Pan Am Games, I walked away with a bronze medal. This year, I would love to get back on the podium and be crowned Pan American champion in front of Canada. I cannot wait!”

Joseph Polossifakis, Men’s Sabre

"I'm really looking forward to the Pan Am Games in Toronto this summer! We had such a great time last time in Guadalajara and now we get the chance to compete for Canada in Canada… It's really exciting! I'm really looking forward to my events as well as being there to support the rest of the Canadian Team!"

Kelleigh Ryan, Women’s Foil

“Congratulations to the athletes who will make up Canada’s Fencing Team at the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games. Along with the coaches, family and supporters who have encouraged you, I join all Canadians in wishing you the best as you compete on home soil during this Year of Sport in Canada.”

The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

The fencing team which will represent Canada at the TORONTO 2015 Games includes:

Athletes:

Coaches:

Prior to being named to the final Canadian Pan American Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations towards the end of June 2015.

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For more information:

Canadian Fencing Federation

Andrew Maggio, Marketing and Communications Project Coordinator

Tel: 514-606-6059

Email: comms@fencing.ca

Canadian Olympic Committee

Devin Heroux, Manager, Media Relations

Tel: 416-324-5020/ Cell: 416-788-6527

Email: dheroux@olympic.ca
 

Cherry Ye, Coordinator, Communications

Tel: 416-324-4123 / Cell: 416-427-4341

Email: cye@olympic.ca 

Carl Vallée, Executive Director, Communications

Tel: 514 861-3702 / Cell: 514-755-1987

Email: cvallee@olympic.ca