Olympic fever
New Haven’s Jared Connaughton will compete Aug. 7 in the 200 metres at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England. The opening ceremonies take place tonight. Claus Andersen/Athletics Canada
Published on July 27, 2012
Jason Malloy
Excitement is building for Canadian sprinter Jared Connaughton of New Haven
Sprinter Jared Connaughton is getting excited for the Olympics to begin.
The New Haven native will represent Prince Edward Island and Canada when he runs the 200 metres Aug. 7 in England.
“My preparations are going well and I'm getting anxious to compete in London,” he wrote Thursday in an email to The Guardian.
Connaughton, the Island’s lone Olympian, is running his final tune up event today in Weinheim, Germany.
He will run the 100 metres and as a part of the Canadian 4x100-metre relay team.
Relay coach Glenroy Gilbert will use the competition to help establish who will run Aug. 10 in the first round of the men’s 4x100-metre relay at the Games.
Connaughton was part of the relay team that set a seasonal best of 38.48 seconds at the Athletics Ontario Junior and Senior Championships in Ottawa.
The team also included Ian Warner, Gavin Smith and Justyn Warner.
The London Games opening ceremonies take place tonight with the torch arriving in the Olympic Stadium.
The cauldron will be lit and stay alight until being extinguished on Aug. 12, the final day of the Games.
Connaughton won’t be in London for the opening ceremony, as the track team will not arrive until Aug. 31.
Connaughton attended the closing ceremonies in 2008 in China and plans to do the same in London.
“Opening ceremonies are a wondrous event, filled with spectacular performances and truly ignite the spirit of the Games, figuratively and literally,” he wrote.
My preparations are going well and I'm getting anxious to compete in London. - Jared Connaughton
“I can't wait to see the ceremonies as once the flame is lit things become real and the idea of being an Olympian really sets in.”
P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz congratulated the two-time Olympian Thursday for being named a co-captain of Canada’s track and field team.
“Jared is an exemplary athlete and role model for those around him. His extensive experience in competitive sport and his passion for continued success will make him an invaluable leader for Team Canada as they represent our country on the world stage,” he said in a news release.
“Islanders are excited about Jared’s accomplishments to date and are very pleased to have him represent our province. We will be following his Olympic journey with great pride.”
(www.london2012.com)
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Jared Connaughton
At A Glance
u Hometown - New Haven.
u Age - 27, birthday was July 20.
u Sport - Athletics.
u Events - 200 metres. Also could be part of the 4x100-metre relay team.
u Schedule - The 200 metre will be run Tuesday, Aug. 7, with the semi-final set for Aug. 8 and the final on the evening of Aug. 9.
u Personal Best - Jared’s personal best time in the 200 metres is 20.30.
u Did You Know? - Connaughton was named a co-captain of Canada’s track and field team for the Olympics.
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