which gymnasts will go to the Olympics for Canada?

Though I’ve often complained about International Gymnast magazine in the past, this time they’ve had the best and fastest on-line coverage of the National Team selection meet.

That’s thanks to reporter Blythe Lawrence who drove up from Washington State for the American publication. She appreciated having full access to speak with Canadian coaches and athletes.

In Canada we’ve only done a very average job of publicizing our sport. This was a step forward.

Canadian world team members Kristina Vaculik and Elyse-Hopfner-Hibbs each won one event and tied for another as Elite Canada concluded Sunday in Abbotsford, B.C. …

These are the two athletes best positioned to qualify for the two available spots for the Beijing Olympics.

… On balance beam, Hopfner-Hibbs turned in a solid routine that included a McCool (front handspring) mount to immediate back tuck and a side aerial to two layout stepouts to edge Vaculik, 15.300 to 14.95-. Vaculik also performed a McCool mount but wobbled on her switch leap, back tuck combination.

Hopfner-Hibbs, who won the bronze on beam at the 2006 World Championships, said she is focusing on uneven bars and balance beam leading up to the Olympic Games.

“I’m trying to use all the competitions I get to go to as preparations for Beijing,” she said. “For me it’s just practice.” …

Of the other contenders, most interesting to me is a comeback story — Aisha Gerber who was third at the 2006 American Cup:

Gerber, who formerly trained with Elvira Saadi at Cambridge Kips, took off five months between October 2006 and March 2007. She is now training with Kelly and Sue Manjak at Oakville Gymnastics in Ontario and said she is attempting to make the Olympic team.

“We are thinking Olympic Games,” Gerber said. “That is my goal and we are building step by step toward that goal.”

Read the entire article with links to full results – International GYMNAST Magazine Online

Aisha looked happy and relaxed, enjoying gymnastics more than ever before. Coach Kelly Manjak said he feels she is back to about 70% of her potential.

photo Grace Chiu – GraceClick.ca