A Charlottetown cyclist will lead Prince Edward Island athletes into Saturday's opening ceremonies for the 2001 Canada Games. Cory Jay, who recently turned 19 years old, is the flag bearer for the Island contingent. The ceremonies are set for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. (AST) at the new TD Waterhouse Stadium at the University of Western Ontario. There will be a one-hour pre-show, and the opening ceremonies will be broadcast nationally by The Sports Network. Competition starts the following day.
"The flag bearer is a very important member of Team PEI, and Cory has already proven that he is a talented and capable athlete," says Honourable Gail Shea, Minister Responsible for Sport in PEI. "I am sure that Cory will carry our flag with pride as he leads Team PEI through the opening ceremonies."
Jay's results in 2000 saw him record no fewer than seven first-place finishes in regional events. Jay made a name for himself in Canadian racing circles by finishing second at the junior mens road race at the national championships in Peterborough, Ontario. His time of two hours, 56 minutes and 26 seconds for the 119-km course was the best performance ever by an Island cyclist at the nationals.
His performances through the year earned him a spot on the junior national racing team on trips to Croatia and Austria. Jay was only one of five cyclists chosen. His accomplishments are even more amazing considering this is only Jay's second year road racing.
This season, Jay is racing for the Volkswagen Les Ailes team based out of Montreal. He is also on the under-23 national team. So far this year, Jay finished 103rd at the Classique de Beauce in Quebec City and 18th at the Four Bridges of Elgin cycling race in Chicago.
Jay's 2001 season began in February. In May, Jay was involved in a bad crash where he lost three front teeth and received 11 stitches. Jay has fully recovered and is ready to put his best tire forward in London, Ontario.
Jay wanted to go to the 1997 Canada Games in Brandon, Manitoba, but PEI did not have a cycling team. Now, his four-year wait is nearly over.
Team PEI will send more than 250 athletes, coaches and team officials to the Canada Games over the two weeks of competition. The first group leaves on Saturday, August 10 at 1:30 a.m. The sports events taking place during the first week of the Games include male and female basketball, cycling, field hockey, sailing, female soccer, wrestling and swimming.