As you can see, the XIII Pan Am Games were held in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I'm going to start with the team that captured all Canadians' hearts.
The Canadian baseball team came into the tournament hoping to be competitive with international powerhouses Cuba and the U.S.A. After beating Brazil 16-4 in their opening game, Canada was slated for a matchup with the United States. The States were the favourites to win, but Canada kept the game close and the teams went to extra innings tied at 3. In the the top of the 11th, the Americans scored three runs to make it 6-3, and it looked the Canadians were in big trouble. But in the bottom half of the inning, catcher Andy Stewart homered with two on to tie it at 6. Then, Stubby Clapp of Windsor, Ontario, played hero as he hit a fly ball to left. The American fielders lost it in the sun, and the ball dropped in, and that drove in the winning run. This gave Canada the 7-6 victory in an 11-inning thriller. After beating the Americans, Canada went on to beat Mexico and routed Cuba 8-1, the same team that beat the Baltimore Orioles. Canada finished the round robin with a perfect 4-0 record. This slated them for a matchup with Guatemala in the quarter-finals. Canada took the game easily, by a 12-2 score. Now they had to face defending champion Cuba for a berth in the final, and, more importantly, a spot at the Sydney Olympics. The teams were evenly matched, and it was a close game all throughout. The difference was the Cubans finding their bats that seemed to be missing all tournament. Canada played with lots of heart, but in the end, Cuba took it 3-2. This was a heartbreaking loss for Canada, and the fans cheering on the team at CanWest Global Park in Winnipeg. Canada had to settle for the bronze medal, where they faced Mexico. Canada dominated, and won 9-2, capping off their improbable run. The baseball tournament created many heroes, and my favourite, (also the crowd in Winnipeg's favourite) was Stubby Clapp.
Another sport that I really enjoyed watching was beach volleyball. In particular, Jody Holden and Conrad Leinemann. The top Canadian pair of John Child and Mark Heese decided not to come, instead they paricipated in an FIVB tournamnet to gain Olympic qualifying points. But Jody and Conrad decided to come to Winnipeg, to simulate the feel of a multi-sport event like the Olympics. At the Atlanta Olympics I really liked watching John and Mark, and I was sort of disappointed that they didn't go to Winnipeg. But soon I discovered Jody and Conrad, and I soon forgot about them :)
I watched all their televised matches, and I cheered them on to the final. They played a tough Brazilian team in the gold medal final, but they took the match two sets to one. Congrats to Jody Holden of Shelburne, Nova Scotia, and Conrad Leinemann of Kelowna, B.C. (good ol' B.C. boy!).
Well I hate to switch to the negative, but this was a big story at the Games. Most people already know about Steve Vezina, the goalie for the Canadian roller hockey team's positive test. Because of his actions, the entire team was stipped of the gold medal and it wasgiven to the U.S. Steve, of Montréal, Québec, and a distant relative of former Montréal Canadiens great Georges Vezina, had taken Sudafed, a cold remedy used as a stimulant, before the gold medal game, and nandrolene, an anabolic steroid. Steve said that he took the steroid in June to help him regain weight that he lost during the roller hockey season where he played for the Buffalo Wings. He wanted to prepare for the ice hockey season. Steve has played for IHL teams such as the Long Beach Ice Dogs and Utah Grizzlies. Alos, he was drafted by the Winnipeg (Yes, Winnipeg, host of the Games) Jets in 1994, in the sixth round (143rd overall). And it has come to my attention that the Jets aquired that pick from the Canucks.
Steve Vezina playing in a roller hockey game at the Pan Am Games
Understandably, his teammates are furious with him, and have publicly blasted him for his drug use. Steve apologized to his teammates and Canadian fans at a news conference and again during an interview on CBC. However, what his teammates find hard to believe is his claim that he didn't know that Sudafed was a banned substance. The players said that there was an orientation video, and it was clearly explained to everyone what doping was. Whatever the case, this was a huge disappointment.
In the end, Canada ended up with a record medal haul, with 196 in total. This was 19 more than their total in Mar del Plata, Argentina in 1995. They finished up with 64 golds, 52 silvers, and 80 bronze. The United States finished first in the overall medal standings, with 296, exaclty 100 ahead of the Canadians. Canada placed second, and Cuba was third with 157.
Many of the 196 medals came from swimming, where Canada dominated. Jessica Deglau of Vancouver hauled in 6 medals, including 4 gold. Other strong performances came from Joanne Malar, Curtis Myden, Morgan Knabe, and many, many more.
Overall it was a succesful Games for Canada. Some of my favourite athletes from the 1999 Pan Am Games were:
Stubby Clapp, a baseball player, from Windsor, Onatrio. He was scrappy, hard-working, and the crowd loved him. He was also missing his six front teeth, from his childhood passion of hockey.
Jody Holden and Conrad Leinemann, beach volleyballers. I liked them from their first game, where they beat the U.S. They beat two favoured Brazilian teams on their way to the gold. way to go, guys.
Jody Holden
Jeff Liberty, a diver from Winnipeg.
The Canadian Women's Gymnastics Team.They came to the Games hoping for a medal, and they sure got it. They won the gold over favoured teams like the U.S.A. Good job, girls.
Jeremy Molitor, a boxer from Sarnia, Ontario, who won a silver medal.
Swimmers like Joanne Malar, Shamek Pietucha, Curtis Myden, and Kelly Stefanyshyn.
Congrats Canada!!!
All pictures from:
The Official Pan American Games Site
TSN.ca
CBC
FIVB
