Macrozonaris Reclaims Canadian 100m Championship
By Chris Galakoutis
Sunday, August 6 2006 13:34:54 AM

The Canadian track and field championships today commemorated the great Donovan Bailey and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics gold medal winning 4x100m Canadian relay team of Bailey, Bruny Surin, Carlton Chambers, Robert Esmie and Glenroy Gilbert.

Macrozonaris, knowing full well that Bailey - the athlete who inspired him to start sprinting - was in the house, might have been inspired once again to put on a show strangely reminiscent of Bailey's 100m victory 10 years ago; a horrific start followed by a come from behind surge that left his competitors wondering what hit them (see photo).

Others left wondering as well might have included Athletics Canada officials in attendance, who watched Macrozonaris reclaim the titles he held in 2002 and 2003 despite the federation's decision in late 2005 to leave the athlete with no financial support for the 2006 season.  That decision forced Macrozonaris to abandon a training base he had set up in Ottawa last winter. 

On the track, the usual suspects of Canadian 100 metre sprinting were all in attendance, with both Pierre Browne and Anson Henry in good form following their 10.23 and 10.29 performances in the semi-finals, respectively.  Browne got off to a terrific start only to see his lead eliminated by the surging Macrozonaris at the finish line.  Henry took the bronze medal.

In his three races the last two days, Macrozonaris demonstrated a form that has eluded him for years.  Coach Daniel St-Hilaire, more than happy to resume working with Macrozonaris upon his return to Montreal last January, put in a countless amount of hours the last few months helping him learn to run relaxed in the last part of his race - a critical piece of the 100m sprint puzzle.

"I want to thank Daniel for spending a lot of time with me on my form," said Macrozonaris after his race. 

"He took me under his wing again and I am grateful for that."

Macrozonaris did not speak as highly of Athletics Canada, however.  "A lot has been said the last few months about my funding case, there isn't much else that I want to add," said Macrozonaris.

"But, I don't ever want to be in a position where they can do this to me again."

Macrozonaris did speak very positively about the Quebec track and field federation, who despite Athletics Canada's decision, have continued their support of the athlete. 

"The Quebec federation helped me with the costs for a training camp in Cuba last spring, and I really appreciated what they did for me," he said.

An ecstatic St-Hilaire, who coaches several athletes competing at the championships, knew Macrozonaris was ready to run a different race today.  St-Hilaire said, "The guy that wanted it the most won today."

Indeed.  Perhaps the lesson to be learned on this day is that despite being unfunded and uncarded, one should never be underestimated.

Original Article from www.hellenicathletes.com

The Macrozonaris of old was on display in Ottawa last night in the prelims and semi-finals of the men's 100m.

In front of a packed house at Terry Fox Athletic Facility, Nic ran 10.28 seconds in his semi to advance to today's final.

But it was the ease with which he did it that was most notable.  After a bad start that left him more than a metre-plus behind, he blew by the field at about 40 metres and never looked back.  The perennial struggle with the last 30-40 metres of his race was not a factor last night, as he crossed the line with total ease.  

His 10.28 seconds represents his fastest result in well over a year- he ran it last at Athens 2004. 

The other semi finals were very exciting as well, with Pierre Browne clocking 10.23 and Anson Henry winning his in 10.29. 

The final goes this afternoon.

Macrozonaris looks to reclaim Canadian 100m sprint crown
By Chris Galakoutis
Wednesday, August 2 2006 10:31:26 AM

The last time Nic Macrozonaris spent a weekend in Ottawa, it was to collect his belongings and close out a very successful stint working with Canadian track coach Glenroy Gilbert.

When he returns to Ottawa this weekend for the Canadian track & field championships, he will be looking to collect one final item: his 3rd Canadian 100m title and 6th consecutive top-3 finish.

After two sub-par years marred by injuries of varying degree, Macrozonaris decided in late 2005 to shuffle things up a bit, and set up an Ottawa training base.  That decision bore fruit with strong indoor results, running consistently good times culminating with a season's best time in the 60 metres in early February - 6.61 seconds - a neighborhood he had merely observed from a distance since the 2002-2003 season.

But he suffered a leg injury shortly after that, one he has been struggling to recover from the last few months.  The injury was another in a string of ailments that followed his breakthrough year of 2003, where he set his PB of 10.03 seconds and made the semi-finals at the World Championships in Paris. 

That series of injuries - one even Evel Knievel would be proud of - reduced the former high-flyer to a mediocre runner, one who, as he told us when contacted yesterday, has been written off by the public. 

As a result, the only flying he has been doing these days is under most radar screens.  And that is how he likes it for the time being.

“I feel very good, I’m in good shape,” said Macrozonaris from his Laval home.  “I’m very excited about nationals this year, haven’t been for a couple of years now.

“I kind of prefer it this way this year.  Nobody expects me to win.”

This weekend's championship was not originally set for Ottawa, but was moved there earlier this year.  With his successes there last winter, and only a two hour drive from Montreal, it is practically in Macrozonaris' back yard - and this has him pretty excited.

"It's our nation's capital, as well as headquarters for Athletics Canada.  I'd like to put on a good show for them," he added with a laugh, alluding to his well publicized funding feud with the federation.  It was that funding cut-off that forced Macrozonaris to abandon his Ottawa training base due to the costs involved.

If the excitement in his voice is any indication, it might be a good show indeed this weekend. 

Original Article from www.hellenicathletes.com