Julie Labonté of Ste-Justine wins Gold; London’s Parry wins Silver at Commonwealth Youth Games

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

OTTAWA – Julie Labonté from Ste-Justine, QC won gold today in the women’s shot put and Jessica Parry of London, ON won silver in the women’s 1500-metres at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games currently taking place in Pune, India. 

Canada also fared well in the relays today in Pune winning a pair of bronze medals.  The men’s 4x100-metres relay team including Simon Leveillé of Mascouche, QC, Phillip Hayle of Brampton, ON, Segun Makinde of Ottawa, ON and Andre Hamilton of Scarborough, ON finished third in a time of 41.31 seconds.  The Canadians trailed Sri Lanka who took gold in 40.85 and Australia in 41.08.  The women’s 4x100-metres team including Olivia Charnuski of Elmira, ON, Loudia Laarman of Lethbridge, AB, Alyssa Johnson of Winnipeg, MB and Karlene Hurrel of Edmonton, AB also finished third in a time of 46.83 seconds. Gold went to the host country in 46.27 and silver went to Australia in 46.74.

Labonté’s best throw of 15.02-metres edged out Lamataimi Lolo of Australia who recorded a mark of 14.73-metres and third place finisher Tasele Satupai of Samoa who finished the event with a best throw of 14.24-metres. 

Jessica Parry, the Canadian Flag Bearer at the Opening Ceremonies of these Games, finished in 4:20.59 just behind gold medalist Stacy Ndiwa of Kenya who crossed the line in 4:20.16.  Ciara Mageean of Ireland took the bronze in 4:22.53.  Geneviève Lalonde from Moncton, NB placed 6th in the race recording a time of 4:26.38.

Canada’s track and field medal count at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games now stands at five; yesterday Ariane Beaumont-Courteau won silver in the women’s pole vault.  Track and field competition concludes tomorrow with the Games officially closing on Saturday October 18th.

Other Canadians in action today 

• Alyssa Johnson from Winnipeg, MB placed 4th in the women’s 400-metres final crossing the line in 55.20 seconds.
• Holly Parent from Victoria, BC finished 4th in the women’s high jump final.  Parent’s best jump was 1.71-metres.  She also completed jumps at 1.60-metres (on her third attempt) and 1.68-metres (on her second attempt).  
• Segun Makinde of Ottawa, ON advanced to the semifinals of the men’s 200-metres.  Oluwasegun advanced by finishing 4th in heat #1 in a time of 22.30 seconds.
• Even Clark of Calgary, AB did not advance out of round 1 of the men’s 110-metre hurdles.  Clark was 4th in heat #1 in a time of 14.53.

Visit Athletics Canada’s Championships website for more information: www.athletics.ca/page.asp?id=307

-AC-

For more information:

Mathieu Gentès
Director, Corporate Services & Public Relations
Athletics Canada
mgentes@athletics.ca 
613-260-5580 ext. 3303

Emily Hooper
Coordinator, Corporate Services & Public Relations
Athletics Canada
ehooper@athletics.ca 
613-260-5580 ext. 3332

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