Canadian men's artistic gymnastics team falls short at Olympic qualifier
Injury-plagued squad finishes 8th at Rio test event
A valiant effort by Canada's injury-plagued men's artistic gymnastics team at the Aquece Rio Test Event Saturday just wasn't enough to secure them a team spot for the Olympic Games in Rio this August. The team finished eighth overall, with the top-four teams earning the sought after qualifying spots for the Olympic Games.
"We were disappointed in our performance, but we went for everything because we knew we had no choice," said Tony Smith, National Team Director for men's artistic gymnastics at Gymnastics Canada.
"Without trying our most complex elements, we knew we wouldn't qualify. Our team survived four serious injuries in the last year, and made every attempt to overcome those losses. Today, was not our day, but we know we will have another day."
The team, comprised of Rene Cournoyer (Repentigny, Que. ), Scott Morgan (Vancouver, B.C.), Hugh Smith (Dartmouth, N.S.), Jackson Payne (Edmonton, Alta.), Ken Ikeda (Abbotsford, B.C.), Sam Zakutney (Ottawa, Ont.), and reserve Anderson Loran (Saskatoon, Sask.), finished the day with a total score of 330.626.
Germany finished first with a score of 350.609, followed by the Ukraine (350.160), the Netherlands (347.444), and France (346.583) who have now all qualified teams for the Olympic Games.
"I think that with our injuries, our team lost too much difficulty in our exercises, and confidence in ourselves," added Smith.
Smith was Canada's top finisher in the all-around competition, finishing 49th with a total score of 81.965. Zakutney, competing in his first senior national team assignment for Canada finished 54th with a score of 81.164, while Cournoyer finished 61st with a total score of 78.399.
Canada is now assured one spot for an individual athlete in men's artistic gymnastics at the Olympic Games. That spot will be determined by Canada's coaching staff and will be announced, along with the rest of the Canadian gymnastics team for Rio, on June 30 in Ottawa/Gatineau.
Canada continues its quest for berths at the Olympic Games on Tuesday when Jason Burnett will look to qualify in men's trampoline. Isabela Onyshko (Brandon Man.), and Victoria-Kayen Woo (Brossard, Que.) will compete in the women's artistic gymnastics competition on Sunday as they look to gain experience for their final team selection in June.
Patricia Bezzoubenko will be the last to compete on Thursday in rhythmic gymnastics.