CATANIA, Italy - Dominating the pool at the 3rd Military World Games (MWG), the Canadian Forces (CF) Women's Swim Team captured two bronze medals December 7 and 8 in Catania, Italy.

From left to right: Leading Seaman Hayley John, Captain Tania Pendergast, LS Melanie Martin-Quevillon and Ordinary Seaman Lianna Doherty celebrate after winning a bronze medal in the 4x100 m medley with a time of 5:01:03. Photo by Cpl Cindy Gobin

Leading Seaman Hayley John, already an individual gold and a double bronze medalist and Ordinary Seaman Lianna Doherty both from CFB Esquimalt, Captain Tania Pendergast from CFB Wainwright and Officer Cadet Kirri Lean from the Royal Military College of Canada, finished the 4x100 m freestyle event with a combined time of 4:21:72. Overall, Canada's medal count sits at five, its best performance ever at a MWG.

The team said they were eyeing a medal leading up to the race and were thrilled to share the podium with Olympic swimmers from China and Russia. For OCdt Lean, originally from Queensland, Australia, the reaction from the Canadian team in the stands was a highlight. "Swimming back," she says, "and seeing the Canadians in the crowd going beserk was amazing for us."

On December 8, the women beat out the American team to take another bronze medal in the 4x100 m medley relay with a time of 5:01:03. This time LS Melanie Martin-Quevillion, from CFB Halifax, swam the first leg of the race, with Capt Pendergast, OS Doherty and LS John rounding out the team.

Being posted to bases across the country, they don't often get to swim together. Yet Coach Suzanne Scriven says the swim team, both men and women, is one of the most cohesive and supportive she has ever seen. "While some team members actually get to take medals home," she explains, "It's a win for all of us."

The Canadian 3rd MWG team, sponsored in part by Logistik Unicorp Inc., is comprised of approximately 125 CF members and support staff. Under the direction of the contingent organizing committee, the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA), the athletes are competing in basketball, marathon, 10 km, sailing, swimming, lifesaving, and volleyball.

Organized by the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM), thousands of military athletes from 87 countries are competing in 11 events. Second in size only to the Olympics, the MWG are also held every four years.

The CF has participated in international sports as a member of CISM since 1985. Annually, CISM holds more than 20 competitions in various host countries. Canada currently participates in basketball, golf, parachuting, running, sailing, shooting, soccer, swimming, tae kwon do, triathlon, and volleyball. For more information on the 3rd MWG, including photos and video clips, visit http://www.cfpsa.com

10 December 2003