Diane Roy takes Silver; Alexandre Dupont and Christabel Nettey claim Bronze in Glasgow

Glasgow, SCO – The Canadian track and field team won three more medals today in athletics competition at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland. Diane Roy of Sherbrooke, Que., won silver, Alex Dupont of Clarenceville, Que., and Christabel Nettey of Surrey, B.C., picked up bronze medals. To date Athletics Canada has won a total of 13 medals; 5 gold, 2 silver and 6 bronze.

Diane Roy aggressively led the women’s wheelchair 1500-metres race but was edged at the finish line by Angela Ballard of Australia who finished in 3:59.20. Roy was a close second in 3:59.55.“I’m happy with my race, I’m not happy with the result,” said Roy. “It was hard to be in front the whole way, but it was a good thing because there was a lot of rain and when you are behind, you receive a lot of water. I started to sprint with 400-metres to go, maybe I started to sprint too soon, it killed me at the end.”

In the men’s wheelchair 1500-metres Alex Dupont raced to bronze in 3.23.62. “These Games have been amazing. This is the only event where our medals count like everyone else’s so it’s an amazing opportunity for us.” Alex adds; “I’m very, very happy. The wet track for us changes the game completely. I know for runners it does too, because it’s slipperier, but for us it can go from being the very best athlete to the worst.”

Josh Cassidy of Ottawa, Ont., placed sixth in 3:27.24 after getting out to a fast start. “It felt good until I was trying to max out and it was just slipping,” said Cassidy. “I obviously have more to figure out when it comes to max sprints during the rain.” He adds; “The crowds were awesome in there and it’s really exciting to be a part of this Canadian team again. I’m really looking forward to the big one, Rio, and Pan Ams before that, so all these are just great stepping stones to work things out for the big ones that matter most.”

In the women’s long jump Christabel Nettey of Surrey, B.C., registered a best jump of 6.49-metres to secure bronze, and the third track and field medal of the day. “The rain was hard to adjust to, but coming into only my second major Championship and medalling I can only grow from that," said Nettey. “I am happy to bring the medal home for Canada. Adjusting to the rain and the wind, medal ceremonies and all that waiting, it was hard but that is just track and field and you adjust. Unfortunately I couldn’t get it done today (for gold) but I am still happy."

In the women’s 400-metres hurdles Noelle Montcalm of Belle River, Ont., placed fifth in the final. "It went pretty well. I went slower than my qualifying time by two-hundredths, but still a respectable time for me, so I’m pleased with how it went," comments Noelle. "I was happy with my stride pattern, my race pattern. I tried to stick with them, but being in lane two I had a good look at everybody. It’s hard to stay focused in your own lane when you see the rest of the lanes moving ahead, so I just tried to remain in my own lane and finish as fast as I could."

Chanice Taylor-Chase of Ajax, Ont., did not finish the race.

Angela Whyte of Edmonton, Alta., won her heat of the 100-metres hurdles in 13.33 seconds to secure her spot in tomorrow’s final. Phylicia George of Markham, Ont., finished fifth in her heat in 13.66 and does not advance to the final.

Julie Labonté of Ste-Justine, Que., qualified for the women’s discus final tomorrow with a throw of 50.32-metres.

Kimberly Hyacinthe of Lachenaie, Que., qualified earlier in the day for the women’s 200-metres final clocking 23.14 seconds in her semi-final. She went on to finish seventh in the final in 23.11 seconds. Shai-Anne Davis of Richmond, B.C., and Crystal Emmanuel of East York, Ont., did not advance into the final, clocking 23.48 and 23.40 respectively in the semis.

In the men’s 200-metres Andre De Grasse of Markham, Ont., and Brendon Rodney of Toronto, Ont., did not advance to the final with times of 20.73 and 20.89 respectively in the semis. Gavin Smellie of Etobicoke, Ont., qualified for the final with a run of 20.54 seconds. In the final Gavin finished eight in 20.55 seconds. "It was a great experience being in the final but at the same time you still want to make something happen," commented Gavin. "Lane one was a bit tough, I have to take it as it is. Only thing to do now is to move on and stay motivated. We’ve got the relay tomorrow."

Melissa Bishop of Eganville, Ont., qualified for tomorrow’s 800-metres final placing second in her semi-final in 2:01.86. Jessica Smith of North Vancouver, B.C., did not advance with a time of 2:04.42.

A look at tomorrow

Gavin Smellie, Aaron Brown of Toronto, Ont., Dontae Richards-Kwok of Toronto, Ont., and Andre De Grasse will step into action in the heats of the men’s 4x100-metres.

Tomorrow will also see the heats of the women’s 4x100-metres, women’s 4x400-metres and men’s 4x400-metres.

The men’s 3000-metres steeplechase will feature three Canadians; Matthew Hughes of Oshawa, Ont., Taylor Milne of Guelph, Ont., and Chris Winter of Vancouver, B.C.

The men’s pole vault final will see Shawnacy Barber of Toronto, Ont., enter action.

Lining up in the men’s 10000-metres final will be Mohammed Ahmed of St. Catharines, Ont., and Cameron Levins of Black Creek, B.C.

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