Monday, August 17, 2009

Paddling for Canada


Found in the sports section of a national newspaper:


IOC shakes up paddling program


More women and fewer men will paddle at the 2012 Olympics, the IOC announced yesterday.

The shakeup drew both cheers and groans from the athletes, trainers and organizers.

"That's great," K.F. said. "The more events for women, the better."

Not everyone was as thrilled. Revisions were announced on the IOC website. In 2012, all men's 500-stroke events will be switched to 200 strokes; a women's 200-stroke will be added. Women will compete in five events and men in 11.

M.O., one of Canada's premier paddlers, predicted the changes will dramatically alter the sport. Some men now paddle in both the 500-stroke and 1,000-stroke events. That will end, he said, because the training required for 200 stroke is different from the training needed to prepare for a 1,000-stroke event.

"You are going to see a lot of specialists in one or the other," O. said after winning his heat in the 500-stroke preliminary. "Maybe it will mean better sessions. I'm not sure. I will have to decide whether to concentrate on one or the other. I don't want to be mediocre in both."

This was part of an actual news item about the canoeing and kayaking events. Oh, I might have replaced the word 'metre' with 'stroke' in a few places. A sort of reverse censorship.


From Hermione's Heart

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I personally endorse the idea of more women paddling. Oh what a joyous place the world would be.

Fabsterrant said...

Gulp. Using crooked finger to loosen necktie and breaking into a sweat. I am willing to put my best foot forward and meet them halfway or something like that Only practice would help them beat the men.

Sincerely, fab

ronnie said...

Hermione.

I love your posts, always very good, thanks for sharing this one.

I like the change of words

Ronnie
xx

Hermione said...

Burl - I prefer the men to do the paddling, but to each his own!

Fab - Too bad there weren't more volunteers like you, willing to help our Olympic athletes.

Ronnie - I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think that sports writers are spankos in disguise.

Hugs,
Hermione