Speed skaters from across the country competed this past weekend, at Richmond's Olympic Oval, for a chance to prove they deserve to be on Canada's national team.
David Morrison, head coach of the short track legacy program, explained these competitions are aimed at bolstering Canada's national speed skating teams, and B.C. competitor, Courtney Shmyr from Langley, who finished third in points in the women's group, has a good chance of being nominated for the national squad.
"Seeing the Olympics, where the best in the world were competing, gave me the drive to become one of the best athletes in this sport," said Shmyr, who has been speed skating for 16 years.
"Being back here at the Richmond Oval was one of the best feelings," said Shmyr, who was a spectator at the 2010 Olympics.
"Seeing everyone I grew up with, to the new environment they developed here, it's a big change. It looks a lot different from four years ago and brings back many memories, it is an honor to be skating here," she said.
The facility was well received by the competitors, said Morrison, and successful events such as this one will attracted more events and further boost interest of potential future competitors. He added the oval hosts a development program for skaters.
"Within six to 12 months, we can get those with good skating fundamentals up to a competitive level with their peers," says Morrison, referring to the developmental speed skating program.
"Our long term goal will be to create high performance athletes capable of pushing for provincial and national team spots."
