Men's Olympic Speed Skating Team: Who Who Who?

(Calgary) Unlike the massive hype and hoopla that surrounds the naming of the Canadian hockey team it seems few scribes are aware of the drama unfolding at the Calgary Oval as the High Performance Committee of Speed Skating Canada ponders naming the final members of the men's Olympic Speed Skating team. Every one knows about the past of the men's team Jeremy Wotherspoon's trials are well documented. The final selection will be about the future of men's speed skating in Canada.

Like in hockey Canada has incredible depth until it comes to long distance skating. The high performance people a re faced with sprinters galore and a serious shortage of long distance skaters. As a result of poor performance in the longer distances the men's team is only allowed eight skaters at Vancouver. The stronger women's performance in World Cups means ten Canadian women will skate in 2010.

The real dilemna becomes apparent when you understand that Canada is allowed four sprinters in the 500 and 1000 meter races where we have a shot at the hardware. In the 1500 we are still looking pretty good. After that it's a long shot until it comes to the team pursuit a pseudo-relay where two teams start three skaters on opposite sides of the track. The 3000 meter race is over when the last skater of each team crosses the line. The women are favoured to win. The men may be able to hit the podium too.

Back to the dilemna, naming the eight skaters. Sprinters or lungers? What is the right combination? Wotherspoon, Ireland, and newcomer Kyle Parrott are in as sprinters qualified in the 500. Wotherspoon, Morrison and Parrott are in again for the 1000. The tricky part is that we can send four skaters in each of these races and we have a World Cup medalist who could and perhaps should also skate those races; Jamie Gregg. So three or four sprinters out of eight spots; that is the question.

On the flip side of the coin we have Lucas Makowsky who is our best 5000 skater and also hit the podium in the World Cup with a second in the 1500 in Norway. Makowsky is in and on the team as a result of his win in the 5000. Denny Morrison was second, Giroux was third and Turin Olympic pursuit medalist Warselewicz was fourth.

The picture could become a little clearer after the men's 1500 on New Year's day. Favourites are Morrison, Makowsky and Giroux but it is close for the second third fourth position and as we know anything can happen that's why they race.

So here's this fan's choices for the men's Canadian Oympic roster for 2010.
Wotherspoon 500 + 1000
Ireland 500
Parrott 500 + 1000
Gregg 500 + 1000
Morrison 1000 + 1500 + 5000 + Pursuit
Makowsky 1500 + 5000 + Pursuit
Giroux 1500 + Pursuit
Warselewicz Pursuit

My picks result in one Humboldt boy, born not raised, and two Reginans. Go
Saskatchewan.

Regrets to long time Canadian National team member Steven Elm who could still make the team. It's a tough choice but it is time to look to the future of the team in both sprints and distances.

You are welcome and good luck gentlemen. See you on the podium!