Je suis très fier d'être un des ambassadeurs de la Journée Nationale du Sport et de l' Activité Physique, cet évènement me tient beaucoup à coeur car moi-même j'aime compétitionner dans des évènements sportifs de hauts niveau en tant qu'athlète et dans mes moments libres je reste toujours actif en participant à différentes activités sportifs. C'est pour cela que je suis très content de faire parti de cette évènement et j' espère que vous allez tous introduire des activités physiques dans votre quotidien.

I am proud to be one of three ambassadors for the Journée Nationale du Sport et de l' Activité Physique.  I love to run and compete at high levels in the sprints, but on my time off I always stay active by participating in all types of sports.  I’m glad to be part of this event and I hope you all can incorporate physical activities into your life style!

We are all saddened to hear of the tragic death of Emilie Mondor. My deepest condolences goes out to the family. She was a person who was always organized and had a clear vision on her athletics career. We will all miss her dearly.

Nicolas Macrozonaris, Canada’s 100m-sprint champion, has lost yet another funding appeal, his 3rd.  The decision was handed down yesterday by Sport Canada.

The 26-year-old Montrealer, reached today at his home, is considering going forward with a 4th and final appeal to the Canadian Sports Tribunal.  The financial consideration at issue is roughly 18,000 $Cdn, tax-free.  

While the current medical-card appeals process covers funding for the now completed 2006 season, a new season and new funding issue looms for 2007.  Despite winning his 3rd Canadian 100m title in Ottawa last month - and posting a multi-season best time of 10.28 sec. in the semifinals - there has been no assurance from Athletics Canada (AC) that Macrozonaris will be carded for next season.

What irks Macrozonaris even more is that of the 6 medical cards granted by AC in 2005 (for the 2006 season), only 2 of the 6 athletes actually hit a standard in 2006.  Given that medicals cards are supposed to go to the athletes AC deems to be the most capable of returning to competition and hitting standards, it would appear that four of AC’s choices faired much worse than Macrozonaris this past season.

Macrozonaris also confirmed today that following his Ottawa win, he asked Athletics Canada for assistance with travel expenses he was to incur for a series of European races following his Ottawa victory.  AC chief Joanne Mortimore denied that request.

Adding further insult to injury, Macrozonaris’ name was not included on a list of 25 Canadian athletes that AC deemed to be Canada’s best hopes for Beijing 2008.

“I really don’t want to deal with this funding issue any longer,” said Macrozonaris earlier today.  “And I don’t really want to risk this happening to me again in 2007 or any future year,” he added.

Macrozonaris continued: “You have this funding issue, as well as the issue I have raised in the past about qualifying standards.  Apparently AC will set the “A” standard for 2006 at 10.13 sec.  No other federation in the world that I know of makes it as tough to qualify as Athletics Canada.  And, I was not invited to be a part of the 25 athletes AC will strongly support as we head towards Beijing. 

“There does not appear to be a common vision here between Athletics Canada and myself, and that’s unfortunate.  We therefore have had some preliminary discussions with officials in Greece about my competing for them.”

Greek citizenship would be a formality at this point for Macrozonaris, whose father was born in Greece – hence he has had the right to Greek citizenship from birth.  The only minor hurdle would be the IAAF’s one-year competition restriction.

“It is quite sad that it might come to this,” added Macrozonaris.  “The province of Quebec has been great to me all along, but I can’t compete for them alone.  I need to look out for my future, and that means having complete and total support from one’s country.”

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Any media questions on the issue of Mr. Macrozonaris and his competing for Greece should be directed to his representative on this matter, Mr. Christopher G. Galakoutis of CMI Ventures LLC, a Connecticut, USA based sports consultancy.  Mr. Galakoutis can be emailed at galako62904@yahoo.com.