Locals nominated for Paralympics

Jaffray resident Kevin Evans has been nominated by Archery Canada for entry into the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Evans has twice won gold in the games in the Men’s Open Compound Bow category. Joining Evans will be Vladimir Kopecky from Kimberley, who has been nominated as team leader.

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A strong team of five archers has been nominated by Archery Canada to the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) for entry into the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The Canadian contingent will be led by 2008 Paralympian and 2011 Parapan American Games gold medallist, Kevin Evans (Jaffray, BC). Evans is also a two-time defending world champion, having struck gold in 2007 and 2009 in the Men’s Open Compound Bow category.

“I’m really pleased and excited about returning to the Paralympic Games,” said Evans. “Last season was a bit rough with some untimely injuries, but things are definitely looking up this season and for the Paralympics.”

Joining Evans will be first-time Paralympian Bob Hudson (Leoville, SK). Hudson captured the silver medal in his category at the 2011 Parapan American Games. Both Hudson and Evans will compete in the men’s Compound Bow, Open category.

Lyne Tremblay (Magog, QC), a 2008 Paralympian, will compete in her second Paralympic Games. Tremblay will compete in the women’s Recurve Bow, ARW2 category.

Karen Van Nest (Wiarton, ON) will be competing in her fourth Paralympic Games. She competed in the 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in pistol shooting. The London 2012 Paralympic Games will mark the first time she competes as an archery athlete. Van Nest will compete in the women’s Compound Bow, Open category.

Rounding-out the strong Canadian contingent is international veteran Norbert Murphy (Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC). Murphy will be competing in his third Paralympic Games. He competed at the 2000 Sydney and 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. Murphy captured the bronze medal at the 2009 World Para-Archery Championship and finished fifth at the 2011 World Para-Archery Championship (in the men’s Compound Bow, ARW1 category).

The five archers nominated to the Canadian Paralympic Team for London is an increase from the three who competed at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games four years ago.

“I am really happy to see the fantastic growth in Paralympic archery with a record number of athletes being nominated to the London 2012 team with real chances of medals,” said Gaétan Tardif, Chef de mission for Team Canada.

Vladimir Kopecky (Kimberley, BC) is Archery’s Team Leader for the Games.

“I believe we have a very strong team and that we have a real chance to be on the podium,” Kopecky said. “We are going to the Games to do Canada proud.”

Athletes and staff nominated to the Canadian Paralympic Committee for the London 2012 Paralympic Games in archery:

Kevin Evans (Jaffray, BC) - Compound Bow, Men’s Open category

Bob Hudson (Leoville, SK) - Compound Bow, Men’s Open category

Karen Van Nest (Wiarton, ON) - Compound Bow, Women’s Open category

Lyne Tremblay (Magog, QC) - Recurve Bow, Women’s ARW2 category

Norbert Murphy (Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC) - Compound Bow, Men’s ARW1 category

Rob Cox (Winnipeg, MB) - Alternate in Compound Bow, Men’s Open category

Vladimir Kopecky (Kimberley, BC) - Team Leader

Linda Gagnon (Magog, QC) - Team Support Staff

The archery competition for the London 2012 Paralympic Games will take place at the Royal Artillery venue in London from August 30 to September 5.