Canadians' expectations grow as Olympics near
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 | 4:23 PM ET
Tony Care, CBC Sports
Ottawa native Kristina Groves leads a talented speedskating contingent. (Matt Dunham/Associated Press)The anticipation is almost over.
Talk of the Olympics is growing as Wednesday marked 100 days before Vancouver hosts the 2010 Winter Games.
It's no secret what the Canadian Olympic Association is expecting from its athletes.
When the Own The Podium program began in 2005, a $110-million initiative, officials from a spectrum of government and sports federations boldly stated the goal was for Canadians to win the medal count in Vancouver.
"Our data led us to believe that objective was justified," COC boss Chris Rudge told CBCSports.ca.
"We were first overall in world championship podium [finishes] last year, which are actually closer to the Olympic experience than World Cup events. So that tells us our programs are continuing to be on track."
While that might seem lofty, Canadian athletes proved at the 2006 Torino Games they will at least challenge for the top spot. Canada earned a total of 24 medals in Turin, Italy, finishing third overall.
Just as they did in Italy, Canadian speedskaters are expected to lead the medal rush. Krisitna Groves may not be able to match Cindy Klassen's record five-medal haul from four years ago, but the Ottawa native could get close.
Groves, who won a pair of silvers in Turin, was a five-time medallist at the 2008 world single distance championships, and won gold in the 3,000-metre event.
Charles Hamelin, the 2009 500-m world short-track champion, is taking dead aim at three events — the 500 m, 1,000 m and 1,500 m.
Of course, some Canadians won't only be satisfied unless the men's hockey squad captures gold. No team will face the scrutiny that Sidney Crosby and the rest of his teammate should endure when the men's hockey club steps onto the ice.
After an embarrassing seven-place finish in Turin, the Canadians have much to answer for.
"I've learned through the last three Olympics that anything can happen," Steve Yzerman, Hockey Canada's executive director, told CBCSports.ca. "So, we'll do everything possible in terms of preparation for our scouting, our preparation for our own club and getting ready for each game."
Canadians dropped last 2 worlds
On the women's side, Canada enters the tournament in less than optimal circumstances despite being two-time Olympic defending champions.
The Canadians have dropped the last two world titles to their rivals from the U.S., which has dominated most contests during that stretch.
If hockey is king, then curling is the undisputed No. 2 sport. The men and women's teams won't be decided until the Canadian trials in Edmonton from Dec. 6 to 13.
The men's draw will see plenty of heated battles when Kevin Martin, Glenn Howard, defending Olympic champion Brad Gushue and Randy Ferbey get together.
Howard, a three-time world champion, comes to Edmonton with momentum on his side. He won the recent World Cup of Curling event in Mississauga, Ont., that featured international curlers who will be in Vancouver.
The women's side is more wide open, with 2008 world champion Jennifer Jones highlighting a strong field.
All eyes will be on figure skater Patrick Chan, along with the ice dance team of Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.
Chan, the 2009 world silver medallist, is recovering from a slight tear in his left calf and won't make his season debut until the HomeSense Skate Canada International in Kitchener, Ont., that begins Nov. 19.
Virtue and Moir may have the best chance at gold. The young Canadians possess some of the most innovative moves in the sport. In fact, former Canadian Olympic medallist Tracy Wilson has compared the duo to Britian's iconic team of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.
After being shut out four years ago, the Canadian alpine team hopes to win two medals.
Manuel Osborne-Paradis, winner of three World Cup events last year, and reigning world downhill champion John Kucera lead the team into Vancouver.
