Canada aims for two Olympic medals in Athletics

(BEIJING, July 6) -- Athletics Canada aims to earn two medals at the Beijing Olympics, according to head coach Les Gramantik, reported Globeandmail.com on July 3.

While two medals might sound like a low target, achieving the goal would give Canada two more medals than they earned in the last two Olympics combined.

Canada also faces more competition in Beijing. "But now there are 200 countries taking part in athletics," said Gramantik in Windsor, Ontario, home of the 2008 Canadian Track and Field Olympic Trials, where 600 able-bodied athletes and 88 athletes with a disability are competing through Sunday to qualify for the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams.

Among Canada’s Olympic hopefuls are hurdler Perdita Felicien, Tyler Christopher in the 400 m and 800-metre star Gary Reed.

Canada’s Olympic roster will be released on July 22.