Jessica Gregg could not wait. And it showed. The 21-year-old short track speed skater jumped out to an early lead in the opening heat of the women's 500-metre sprint
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Jessica Gregg qualifies for semi-final
- February 14, 2010 12:57 AM |
- By Michael Traikos
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VANCOUVER -- Jessica Gregg could not wait. And it showed.
Competing in her first Olympics, the 21-year-old short track speed skater jumped out to an early lead in the opening heat of the women's 500-metre sprint Saturday. Leading for most of the race, Gregg was eventually overtaken by Lee Eun-Byul of Korea at the finish line. But her second-place finish earned her a spot in the semifinals on Feb. 17.
"I had a good start," Gregg told reporters. "I tried to lead the race. But [Lee] ended up taking over. But I am happy with second."
It was a good day for not only Gregg, but also for all of Canada's women.
Marianne St-Gelais and Kalyna Roberge both advanced to the semifinals, while the relay team (Gregg, St-Gelais, Roberge and Tania Vicent) qualified for the 3,000-metre final on Feb. 24.
The Canadians, who won silver in the relay in 2006, last won the event in 1992. They will face stiff competition from the Koreans, Americans and Chinese, who set an Olympic record with a time of 4:08.797.
About the Author
- Bruce Arthur Bruce Arthur is the National Post's national sports columnist. A Vancouver native, he has been with the Post since 2001, and a columnist since 2005. He is covering his second Olympics, after the 2008 Games in Beijing. He expects these Games to be slightly less propagandistic, and for China to win slightly fewer medals.
- Joe O'Connor Joe O'Connor is a roving sports feature writer with an open-ended beat. He joined the National Post in 2002, and has spent the past seven years bouncing from sport to sport, offering fresh perspectives and delivering unique stories wherever he goes. Whether it has been getting Don Cherry to open up about his love life; George Chuvalo to talk about heartbreaking loss; or racing down the side of a mountain with former Crazy Canuck, Dave Irwin, the veteran Postie chases a story wherever it leads. Before joining the newspaper he was a two-time silver medalist at the National Magazine Awards. Vancouver will be his first Olympics.
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