“Overland fumes after being 'robbed' of Olympic team berth”

Article by Randy Starkman, Sports Reporter for the TheStar.com

Link to article

Olympic silver medalist Amanda Overland feels "robbed" by last week's decision to leave her off the short track speed-skating team for the 2010 Winter Games.

The 28-year-old from Kitchener, who appeared a strong contender for the discretionary position on the women's team, was passed over in favour of 19-year-old Valerie Maltais. "I feel robbed, to be totally honest. I really do," said Overland yesterday. "They chose a 19-year-old girl with no experience. ... It seems like the most utterly ridiculous choice. I'm sorry but I have to say it that way and if you print it that way, I don't have a problem with it."

Overland, who missed last season because of hip surgery but was making a strong comeback, has one Olympics and five world championships under her belt. Maltais, of La Baie, Que., competed in her first full senior season last year and won a world championship bronze.

"It's not because of the person they chose," said Overland. "It's her experience. I really don't think putting her in an Olympics for experience makes sense. It seems crazy. ... The kicker is that she's going to skate a 1,500 (metres at the Olympics) and I beat her in that distance fair and square (at the trials). That's what kills me right now. I'm just dying a little bit inside."

The Olympic trials last month in Vancouver were weighted on results in the 500 metres and 1,000 metres. Yves Hamelin, program director for the short track team, said Maltais was fifth overall at those distances at the trials while Overland was eighth. He said the high performance committee felt Maltais deserved the spot, though he can appreciate how hard it's hit Overland.

"I can understand the feeling she has at the moment," said Hamelin.

Overland is also reeling from the recent news that her mother's cancer has spread. Her mother, Linda Penner, is battling lung cancer.

MY RESPONSE:

I’m new at this so I’m going to take a stab at these statements. I’m all about objective-based evidence with facts.

First statement

"They chose a 19-year-old girl with no experience…”

Valerie Maltais has been on the national team for two years. Amanda Overland has been on for eight.

Second statement

Overland, who missed last season because of hip surgery but was making a strong comeback, has one Olympics and five world championships under her belt. Maltais, of La Baie, Que., competed in her first full senior season last year and won a world championship bronze.

Overland

2006 Torino Winter Olympics

2003,, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 World Championships

Maltais

2009 World Championships (Bronze in the relay)

Third statement

"It's her experience. I really don't think putting her in an Olympics for experience makes sense. It seems crazy. ... The kicker is that she's going to skate a 1,500 (metres at the Olympics)

Out of the entire World Cup season for 2008-2009 and including World Championships, Maltais has never made it to the 1500m finals or even medaled at this distance. In fact, only one Canadian female made it to the final last season and that was Marie-Eve Drolet at World Cup 6 at Dresden, Germany.

Link to PDF on 1500m Finals for all of the World Cups last season

Fourth statement

…and I beat her in that distance (1500m) fair and square (at the trials).

Link to PDF for the Women’s 1500m overall total points from Canadian Trials.

Fifth statement

Maltais was fifth overall at those distances at the trials while Overland was eighth.

Unless my numbers are wrong, Overland was seventh overall for totals points in the 500m + 1000m. Maltais was fourth.*

*Correct me if I’m wrong.

Link to PDF on points for 500m + 1000m

Did they chose youth over experience? You decide.

CANADIAN TRIALS

BACK HOME