Getting into the Sport: At age 6 told her grandmother she would be an Olympian one day… Started competing in modern pentathlon at age 16, drawn to the five different sports and the opportunity to travel… Was already a swimmer and on her school track team…
Outside Interests: Studying at Carleton University… Graduated from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in 2010 (Civil Engineer Technologist)… Affiliated with Right to Play and i2P (Impossible 2 Possible)… Works as a fitness supervisor and since age 15 has been a heavy equipment operator for her father’s construction business…
Odds and Ends:
Have a second? Wanna learn more about what it feels like to train in five unique sports? Join me as I train, travel and compete in Canada, the US, and elsewhere around the world! Read my blog, check out my Instagram, and follow me on Twitter.
Now that the Rio 2016 Olympic Games are over and a fond memory, I’d like to share a few comments. The 4 years of targeted preparation and training for this day has been a wild ride of ups and downs. All the blood sweat and tears came together on August 18-19, 2016 to compete at…
Read MoreIt is with great pride that I get to tell you I am going to my second Olympic Games!! To secure this qualification, it has been a battle through and through, but I couldn’t be more thrilled to represent team Canada in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this August. From setbacks to comeback, it has taken…
Read MoreSo, where do I begin? There’s so much to write and so much that I don’t want to write at all. One of the best things about my journey through this sport is being able to share my story with those who care to follow because sport is something that can enrapture and thrill anyone…
Read MoreWhile membership of Team McCann CAN is absolutely free, as a full-time athlete, I’m appreciative of whatever additional support is offered.
Your generous donation represents a workout with my weight trainer, John Zahab of Continuum Fitness & Movement Performance. I’ll be dedicating a week of workouts to you and giving you a shout out on Twitter the week of.
Time to move up the depth chart, and come along for the ride – your generous support represents a week of riding training.
My team could use some toughness and your contribution just bought me a month of sport physio sessions. Take solace in the fact that while I’m working out the kinks to keep on-track toward my goals, you’ll have a space of honour with the rest of Team McCann CAN.
Now it’s your turn to get into the action, El Capitán! Being the Captain of my team has allowed me to have 6 months of fencing sessions with my coach.
I want to meet the team! At the All-star level, I will come to your Ottawa area, office, school, community center, backyard etc. for a meet and greet. I’ll bring along plenty of stories from my London Olympic experience.
You’ve helped me, so its time for me to help you! Not only will I make a space on my Web site for your company logo, I’ll get on board with your Charity of choice and help the cause by attending an event (as my schedule permits). I’ll be there and available to participate, make a speech, or whatever you need to boost your cause! (Events must be in Ottawa, Toronto, or Montreal areas)
Modern pentathlon was introduced as a new sport with the resurgence of the modern Olympics in the early 1900s. Pierre de Coubertin (the founder of the modern Olympics) selected pentathlon to mirror the ancient Greek pentathlon, which consisted of running, javelin, discus, long jump, and wrestling.
Modern pentathlon was introduced as a new sport with the resurgence of the modern Olympics in the early 1900s. Pierre de Coubertin (the founder of the modern Olympics) selected pentathlon to mirror the ancient Greek pentathlon, which consisted of running, javelin, discus, long jump, and wrestling.
The day begins early with my favourite event. In fencing, each athlete bouts against each other to one point. Fencing is so exciting to watch and there is an incredible amount of pressure placed on each bout. Strategy, skill and quickness are all necessities and some say it’s the most important event.
The race is a 200-meter freestyle event. It is scored by time, and I will not only race the other competitors, but I will also race the clock which translates to points. Endurance and strength are important here.
Since pentathlon is rooted in the military, pentathletes randomly draw the horse they will compete on. Twenty minutes and five practice jumps is all the time I have to acquaint myself with my new partner. We must navigate the course of 12 obstacles and clear the jumps in aim of achieving a perfect score, but this is very difficult. In this event confidence and bravery goes a long way.
The finale of the pentathlon is the combined run and shoot event. A staggered start has the athlete with the most points in front and the remaining athletes chasing from their handicapped start times. 4 intervals of 800 meters with 4 shooting sessions make up the race.
I must be able to accurately shoot while my heart rate is soaring from the previous 800m sprint. During each shoot, five targets must be successfully shot, requiring immense precision. Focus, concentration, speed and sprinting all factor in the final race to the finish.
