The speed skating world record holder Cindy Klassen has failed to secure the right to defend her record at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. Klassen failed to qualify for a berth on the Canadian Olympic team at the 1,000 meter distance. She had a weak showing amongst strong competitors at the Canadian Olympic qualifying trials held at the Olympic Oval on December 29, 2009.
Klassen won an astounding 5 Olympic medals in speed skating at the last Olympic Games in Turin, Italy.
“After I finished my race, I knew it’d be difficult to make it,” admitted the world-record holder at 1,000 metres. “I really like the 1,000. It would’ve been nice to qualify. But it hasn’t been that strong for me.” She went on to say “that’s the way it goes. When you open the way I did, it’s just not fast enough”.
Cindy Klassen is attempting a comeback after having two knee surgeries. She had already secured an Olympic speed skating berth in the 3,000 metres event a few days earlier in the Olympic trials.
Given the depth of Canadian talent at 1,000 metres, Klassen really had her work cut out for her. She won the silver medal at the last Winter Olympics in Turin at that distance but she will have to watch the event from the sidelines at the Vancouver Games. Klassen still has a chance to qualify for the Canadian Olympic team in the 1,500 metres event. Klassen won this event four years ago in Turin.
With Christine Nesbitt already having pre-qualified for the Vancouver Olympics, three spots were left available in the women’s 1,000 meter. These spots will be filled by new comer Brittany Schussler, Kristina Groves, and Shannon Rempel. The Canadian team will be exceptionally strong at this distance.
Look for the Canadian women speed skaters to spend some time on the Olympic speed skating podium at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.
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