Canadian OIympic VP to head university games team
TORONTO, July 8, 2004 -- Few people know the details of organizing international sports teams better than Patricia Murray, director Sport York & Recreation. Having represented Canada at more than 25 major competitions outside the country, including five Olympic Games and two world university games, she has a wealth of knowledge about the development of young athletes and what it takes to get them to the world stage.
Vice-president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, a seasoned administrator and successful coach, Murray will travel to Athens next month for her sixth Summer Games. She has also been named Chef de Mission for the Canadian team heading to the 23rd world university games next year in Turkey. The announcement was made this week by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), the Canadian representative of the Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU).
Murray, (left) who is also a lecturer with York University's School of Kinesiology and Health Science, says the world university games are becoming an integral part of training programs for many of Canada’s high-performance athletes in sports such as basketball, athletics and soccer. Many of those participating at next year’s Universiade in Izmir, Turkey are in development to represent Canada in Beijing in 2008 and at world championships between Games.
"The Universiade is a great opportunity for our Canadian student-athletes to participate and showcase their talents in a world class sporting event,'' said Murray." I look forward to leading a team that serves and provides optimal support to Canadian athletes and coaches as they endeavour to reach the podium."
Murray coached York’s synchronized swimming and badminton teams for 20 years and led the Canadian synchro team at the past five Summer Games. She has received numerous awards for her volunteer work on behalf of sport at the national and international levels and was at the forefront of the effort to see Canada’s Sylvie Frechette awarded the gold medal for synchronized swimming that she lost to a judge’s error in the 1992 Games in Barcelona.
The Universiad is the second-largest multi-sport event in the world and takes place every two years in various cities. The 23rd summer university games will feature the following 13 sports: Athletics, Basketball, Fencing, Football (Soccer), Gymnastics - artistic and rhythmic, Swimming, Diving, Waterpolo (men), Tennis, Volleyball. Sailing, Taekwondo, and Wrestling will be offered as optional sports in 2005.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, media should contact:
David Fuller, York University Media Relations, 416-736-2100, ext. 22091 / dfuller@yorku.ca
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