The Omnilife stadium is seen just hours before the opening ceremonies of the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico on Friday, Oct. 14, 2011. Canadian soccer captain Christine Sinclair will lead Canada's team holding the Canadian flag. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteNathan Denette/The Canadian Press
Canadians Melanie McCann and Donna Vakalis take aim at the first Olympic berths on the line Saturday at the Pan American Games in an event that will take all day to decide.
The gold medallist in the modern pentathlon — a gruelling combination of fencing, swimming, equestrian riding, running and shooting — books a place at the 2012 London Games on Day 1 of competition.
"I've been waiting for this event all year," McCann said.
McCann, from Parkhill, Ont., and Vakalis, from Toronto, arrived with their teammates from a high-altitude camp in Colorado. Guadalajara sits almost 1,600 metres above sea level, and with Olympics on the line, they wanted to be well-armed for the thin air.
"Because it's a direct Olympic qualifier, all Pan American athletes, including ourselves, have been aiming at this and focusing on this for the last year," said Canada's modern pentathlon coach John Hawes. "We've been competing in World Cups, etc., but this one is our chance to make the Olympics."
Chris Pietruczuk of Kolobrzeg, Ont., and Joshua Riker-Fox of Delacour, Alta., will compete in the men's modern pentathlon on Sunday.
Hawes believes any one of the four athletes has a chance at nabbing a gold medal and the Olympic berth that goes with it.
"Pentathlon is the kind of event with so many things that happen in a day that can go right and wrong, that absolutely any one of our athlete could," the coach said. "They're all strong athletes."
The Canadian pentathletes have another shot at making the Olympics, through points accumulated in World Cups, and the world championships.
There are 11 medals on the line Saturday, including five in swimming, and the first weekend of the Games will crown champions in taekwondo, dressage, rhythmic gymnastics, shooting, and cycling. The mountain bike final for both men and women is Saturday, while the road time trial is Sunday.
Canadian champion Max Plaxton of Victoria, is ranked No. 2 in the mountain bike, while Derek Zandstra of Trenton, Ont., is third. Mikaela Kofman of Toronto, the under-23 Canadian champion, and Amanda Sin of Collingwood, Ont., will go for gold in the women's race.
The mountain bike course in Talpalpa, a 90-minute drive into the mountains south of Guadalajara, winds over rocky terrain and through some town streets.
Guillaume Boivin of Longueuil, Que., Rob Britton of Regina, Joelle Numainville of Laval, Que., and Denis Ramsden of Hay River, N.W.T., will race for medals in the time trial. David Veilleux of Cap Rouge, Que., withdrew citing fatigue.
In the pool, Hanna Pierse of Edmonton, the younger sister of world record-holder Annamay Pierse, will compete in the 400-metre individual medley. Canada will also be a favourite in the women's 400-metre freestyle relay.
Canada's rhythmic gymnastics team begins what should be a strong four days of competition for a squad that has all but claimed an Olympic berth. The Canadians placed 17th at the recent world championships, putting the team in a favourable spot for a wildcard berth for London.