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August 12, 2005
Izy Fundraiser
Bay City Times | Olympic fever hits home next Thursday
Bay City is throwing a fundraiser next Thursday, August 18, to help Alex Izykowski make his Olympic dreams come true. There will be live music and a comedy performance along with auction items available. Izy fans who'd like to send in donations can do so as well -- $10 or more gives you the option of a special T-shirt or photo. Donations can be made payable to: Bay County Speedskating Club, c/o 4678 Birchwood, Bay City, MI 48706.
Please read the article for full details!
Posted by noelle at 5:11 PM | Comments (4)
August 10, 2005
Beijing Scrapbook -- Photos from 2005 Worlds
Copyright 2005 Pablo Galvez, canprophoto.com
Used by permission of americanshorttrack.com
Experience the pageantry and excitement of the most prestigious event of the past season. Visit our friends at American Short Track for post-event info, and -- count 'em -- 18 galleries of stunning Pablo Galvez photographs! You'll lose yourself for hours over there. Rush over now and enjoy!
Posted by noelle at 6:31 PM | Comments (13)
August 9, 2005
The up-and-comers
Bay City Times | Bay County teens in fast lane for blade of glory
The Bay City paper has a nice feature on Morgan Izykowski, younger sister of Alex, and her cousin Meagan Chartier. Both skaters earned their category 1 status last season, which entitles them to wear USA skinsuits and enjoy some of the national team training resources. Both girls have set their sights on qualifying to compete at the U.S. Olympic trials in December and are excited and maybe a little nervous about the challenges that go with their newfound status:
"It's going to be tougher than in the past years because a lot of the competition is older kids," said Chartier. "They're almost out of high school and we're just starting.
"I'm proud of myself," said Izykowski, who joined the elite group by winning the United States Speedskating Association Nationals. "I didn't expect it. I always wanted it, but now it's different because you're skating for your country and not just your club."
Congratulations and good luck, Meagan and Morgan!
Posted by noelle at 10:07 PM | Comments (4)
Amelie Goulet-Nadon to skip Olympics
TSN.ca | Short track skater Nadon to miss Olympics
Sad news from Canada -- Amelie Goulet-Nadon has withdrawn from Canada's Olympic trials scheduled for September 1-11, ending her dreams of competing in Torino. She's been suffering from a motor skill problem that seems to have created a disconnect between her mind and her body, hampering her ability to skate and endangering her safety on the ice:
Since she was 12-years-old skating came as naturally to Goulet-Nadon as breathing. Now it's like walking on coals, each step calculated, deliberate and sometimes painful. 'It would be like tomorrow if you forgot how to walk with your left foot,' she explained. 'It's like the switch is off in your brain. You see people walking, you know how to do it, but you just cannot apply it at the moment.'
'I've gone from being one of the best skaters in the world to not being able to follow the girls in training," she said.
Best wishes to Amelie for a complete recovery!
[UPDATE:] More info on Amelie's condition via Speed Skating Canada
Posted by noelle at 9:50 PM | Comments (16)
August 8, 2005
Video clip: Apolo Interview (possibly the best ever!)
All you loyal fans out there are going to flip for this clip! This treat is the latest from the U.S. Short Track Championship program provided by Moz and edited by Sonia, hosted by Maggie. This particular gem is an interview done with Apolo in which he reflects on his emotions on the medal stand after winning Olympic gold and how his life changed in the immediate aftermath.
Apolo has really become a relaxed and animated interviewee in the years since 2002. This one is full of personality -- enjoy! Many thanks to the ladies who made this clip (and all the others) possible!
Posted by noelle at 10:01 PM | Comments (17)