Canada fields its largest ever non-home team at the Commonwealth Games

OTTAWA – Sixteen-year-old Isabela Onyshko and 78-year-old Al Hanet are officially the youngest and oldest Canadians participating at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland as Canada officially confirmed its roster on Thursday for the international athletics competition.

Onyshko, from Minnedosa, Man., will compete in artistic gymnastics while Hanet, from Kelowna, B.C., will compete in lawn bowling as a para-athlete.

“It is exciting that our Canadian athletes are starting to arrive at the Games’ Village,” said Chantal Petitclerc, Canada’s Chef de Mission. “While we have had a small advance team on site for over a week, having athletes now living in the Village has made it come alive. Everything is operational and working very well, the accreditation centre, the dining hall, the transport mall and all amenities.

“Glasgow 2014 is ready — as are the Commonwealth’s best athletes who are starting to gather for these great Games.”

Canada is sending its largest-ever delegation to a Commonwealth Games not on home soil with 265 athletes competing in 16 out of 17 sports at Glasgow. Netball is the only sport Canadians will not compete in.

Trapshooter Susan Nattrass, who will be Canada’s flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony on July 23, is the most experienced athlete in the delegation. The 63-year-old, who lives in Edmonton, is competing in her fifth Games and has won three silver medals and five bronze at previous competitions. Montreal’s Metodi Igorov, Nattrass’s teammate on the shooting team, will also be competing in his fifth Commonwealth Games.

“After years of preparation, it is hard to believe that we are now only one week away from the Opening Ceremony,” said Scott Stevenson, Commonwealth Games Canada’s Director of Sport. “Canada has fielded a very strong team for these 2014 Games, and we are targeting a top three finish amongst all nations competing here. This Team truly represents sporting excellence at its best.”