James Christie
TORONTO — Globe and Mail Update
Published on Wednesday, Aug. 04, 2010 11:42AM EDT
Last updated on Thursday, Aug. 05, 2010 8:46AM EDT
In the persistent drizzle outside the Varsity Centre Saturday night, hurdler Priscilla Lopes-Schliep of Whitby, Ont., smiled and looked away when asked if she’d skip the Commonwealth Games in India this October to concentrate on the 2011 world championships and 2012 Olympics.
But a friend, standing with her, feeling free to speak, said he could be quoted. The hurdler looked over in shock. Then her friend made the most eloquent, non-verbal nods – no, she would not go and yes, she would concentrate on the global events ahead of the Commonwealths.
It was no surprise. When Athletics Canada released its list of 40 athletes for the Games in Delhi, scheduled to open in less than two months, few of the top-10 world ranked athletes were among them.
The main man will be Canadian shot put record holder (21.58 metres) Dylan Armstrong of Kamloops, B.C., who was fourth at the last Olympics. Armstrong is the Commonwealth’s top-ranked shot putter, but won’t hang around Delhi to revel in his status. He says he’ll be looking the quickest entrance-exit possible for the Delhi trip.
The best-known female athletes to go will be heptathlete Jessica Zelinka of London, Ont. and hurdler Angela Whyte of Edmonton, who won silver in Melbourne, Australia in 2006 in the 100-metre barrier race.
They’ll be flanked by wheelchair stars Diane Roy of Sherbrooke, Que., who won wheelchair bronze in the 800 metres in 2006, and Josh Cassidy of Oakville, Ont., who won three Canadian distance championships.
“At the Commonwealth Games in Delhi we expect all athletes to perform at their highest level for this year,” said head coach Alex Gardiner.
“We are using the Commonwealth Games as an important benchmark for those athletes pursuing selection for the London Olympic Games.”
Two-time world hurdling medalist Perdita Felicien, like Lopes-Schliep, will pass on the Commonwealths. She won on a slow Varsity Centre track in 12.72 seconds, has opted out