pan-am games

[33]

has anyone heard how the boys are doing down in the dominican? it seems that every website i have explored doesn't know there is even roller hockey being played. par for the course with our great sport.

[NLane]

Hockey has had no results printed in our local paper. Track, water and field hockey have been reported. No hockey!

[RichardGraham]

Hi tt,

I expect to get some reports from this event soon. My understanding is that the hockey hasn't started yet, but perhaps I misread the e-mail I received. Regardless, look for some information about the Pan Am Games on IHC soon.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[33]

thanks rich!

[TimeKeeper_CYMRU]

Colleagues

One can't but help the odd, rye smile from time to time.

So someone asks a quite simple question and in my case this rang a bell in some deep corner of my memory. I'm sure I've seen something about this, but when, how long ago?

So off I go scouring 'the net' looking for clues and links.

OK first hit:
<A HREF="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2003-08-02-pan-am-opening-ceremony_x.htm" target="_new">http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/2003-08-02-pan-am-opening-ceremony_x.htm</A>
Interesting, with a small side issue snippet, but nothing about roller hockey, nor even about roller sports.

Second hit:
<A HREF="http://www.santodomingo2003.com/en/index.html" target="_new">http://www.santodomingo2003.com/en/index.html</A>
This says it's the official website, but it isn't building up too well on my screen, lots of holes and I can't see an A-Z of sports.

Next
<A HREF="http://panamgames2003.com/index.shtml" target="_new">http://panamgames2003.com/index.shtml</A>
Hmmm, interesting, still no A-Z of sports. But it does have a &quot;Forum&quot;!

Lets try Roller Sports:
<A HREF="http://www.panamericanrollers.com" target="_new">http://www.panamericanrollers.com</A>

Ah I've been here before! Last year? But I can't get the site to respond to me, maybe it's just me, maybe it's too early in the morning (05.30 local)

Ah well sit back, don't worry, Richard appears to have the situation well in hand.

<font color=blue>John
Great Britain</font color=blue>

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by TimeKeeper_CYMRU on 08/12/03 01:03 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

[NLane]

I can HEAR the accent in the way you write. Please keep posting on this forum!!!

[TimeKeeper_CYMRU]

Colleagues
<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

has anyone heard how the boys are doing down in the dominican? it seems that every website i have explored doesn't know there is even roller hockey being played. par for the course with our great sport.

<hr></blockquote>


OK try:<A HREF="http:// www.usarollersports.org" target="_new"> www.usarollersports.org</A>

Inline Hockey, of course, and as a bonus (if your interested) there are reports on Figure Skating and Speed as well.
Three for price of One!!

<font color=blue>John
Great Britain</font color=blue>

[MDE3]

Is it not amazing how completely barren the press is in this country of any reference to Inline Hockey - never ceases to amaze me.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

Rob Laurie's mom forwarded me the URL to the Web site with information on the Pan Am Games: http://www.usocpressbox.org

***

INLINE HOCKEY ? Powerhouse Team USA Qualifies for Gold Medal Game

by Kellie Habeeb - USA Roller Sports (402-483-7551)

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (August 13, 2003) ? In the semi-finals, Team USA prevailed over Brazil, which will send them into the gold medal game against Canada on Thursday, August 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Club Mauricio Baez. The United States dominated the game with a score of 20-6. Brazil was the first to score with 19:06 into the game. Mike Ciolli (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Taj Melson (Plymouth, Minn.) played strong and both scored hat tricks.

?In the first five minutes, Brazil killed us,? said Ciolli ? Forward for Team USA. ?Brazil?s goalies were making some good saves. I think we need to improve our start for tomorrow?s game. We should definitely be on top.?

In the second half, with 8:47 left in the game, the crowd went wild as C.J. Yoder (Hershey, Penn.) fanned on a wide open net. Brazil started gaining goals and coming back strong, but that did not stop the United States from garnering the overall win.

?Brazil is a good team and they bury the puck when they have the chance,? said Yoder, Forward for Team USA.

Thursday night?s final game will be a physical thriller as Team USA battles it out over Canada for the overall win and the prestigious gold medal. In round robin action, the United States lost to Canada, with a close score of 10-7, which makes the final round both a toss up and a blood bath for both teams. Mexico will play Brazil in the bronze game at 6:00 p.m.

***

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[Alexander]

I'm sure you will all find the following both interesting and amusing (talk about overcoming adversity!).

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/PanAmGames/2003/08/14/160969-cp.html

Marty in Alberta

[NLane]

That article makes it sound like there is NO respect for our sport even in those games. What is wrong with the governing bodies that would allow players to play under such conditions?? Wonder if the swimming or track and field conditions were similar? Maybe I don't want to know...

[RichardGraham]

Hi Nancy,

It's one reason I feel very uncomfortable that FIRS is a potential governing body for inline hockey. Apparently, not much has changed from the time the FIRS Worlds were held in Chicago, and one of the award presenters was a fat man from Italy who was smoking a cigarette. Call me chauvinistic, nationalistic or worse, but it's an absolute disgrace that the inline hockey contests at the Pan Am Games were held under such appalling conditions. I'm embarrassed for our sport.

FIRS has also known about the existence of Inline Hockey Central since Day One, but still they find it impossible to send IHC press releases. Probably a good thing, as the truth of the conditions at the Pan Am Games would likely have been covered up.

I'm disgusted.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[-venom-]

I agree with you 0 Rich... it's appalling that a competition at such a level would hold event s in such pathetic conditions. How do they even get sanctioned to hold such events if they do not have the proper facilities?

Thats one of the biggest problems with inline hockey today, there's not enough ADEQUATE facilities, ie. correct sized rink, plexiglass, locker rooms, showers, stands, etc......

I can think of a few rinks in MLRH and PIHA that are pathetic, not worthy of hosting so-called 'pro' teams, let alone an international-scale competition.....

[JohnHockey1798]

I thought i played in a bad facility, I was wrong. I think we are the Rodney Dangerfield of Hockey. We get no respect. I hope there is a day where we get respect and I hope it comes soon.

John

[NLane]

And yet some big "ice" names are going to play speed hockey. Those conditions were appalling and I do wonder, too, what ever happened to "sanctioned". Did the head of inline hockey, who gets paid something I'm sure, visit this venue? Or does money or who you know get you sanctioned now? Does it make you think about where those fees go?

[RichardGraham]

Hi Nancy,

I'm not sure I understand your statement that makes a connection between the Pan Am Games and SpeedHockey. Besides the fact that some of those who participated in the Games will play SpeedHockey, what am I missing?

&gt;&gt;Those conditions were appalling and I do wonder, too, what ever happened to &quot;sanctioned.&quot;&lt;&lt;

Good question.

&gt;&gt;Did the head of inline hockey, who gets paid something I'm sure, visit this venue?&lt;&lt;

If that person gets paid, it's probably only as part of a job he does dealing with all sorts of &quot;roller sports.&quot; That's my guess, anyway.

&gt;&gt;Or does money or who you know get you sanctioned now? Does it make you think about where those fees go?&lt;&lt;

What fees in particular are you talking about? I think it is very important to be specific, or risk sounding like you're making accusations that are perhaps unfounded.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[Alexander]

Actually these conditions for the inline facility at the games may be the norm for the other sports. See the following diary notes regarding the Canadian womens water polo team who were asked to train in a pool for which they could not see the bottom! Note that Daniele S. was the head coach womens ice hockey team at the 2002 Olympics.

http://www.coach.ca/e/spokesperson/diary/index.htm

Marty in Alberta

[MDE3]

Hi Marty - thanks for your input.

Sort of puts a lot of things in perspective doesn't it. So many moan about having to play in an old disco rink with an octagonal shape and a wood floor.....

We tend sometimes to measure the growth of a sport by the trappings associated with it.....as in "made for TV" presentations - which if all the trappings are present - we assume the sport is now somehow successfull.

Let's not forget that the sport is played by individuals who come to play no matter what the conditions.....and carry the burdon of credibility on their shoulders by their play and even sometimes their sportsmanship.

The rest of the world does not always have money for those things which we so blasely take for granted - never forget that this is still "sport", not Life. Obviously in the eyes of those hosting these games......Inline Hockey is simply an extension of street hockey so having some kind of indoor venue was probably looked at as a big step up......

Let's hope in the future that some more enlightened organizers are selected, and that being selected to represent your Country at these games will still be regarded as an honor, not a punishment lol.

[NLane]

It must have been difficult to recruit players in conditions as that although I've heard horror stories about ECHL ice surfaces over the years too. MDE had a good point about just playing for the sport etc etc but isn't there some BIG CORP money for these games? You used to have to pay for a card or weekend warrior fee to play in a sanctioned tournament. Those fees should bring a certain product to the payee, right? Just wondering if at the Pan Am games level it's that bad what could it possibly do to the lower levels of players? And do we, as a country, send athletes to venues we've NEVER visted? Someone okayed that site or maybe there was a last minute change. Can't say as I haven't read everything printed about the games. It just seems pretty bad to send our best to play like that. Makes me think, what future? We digress.....

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by NLane on 08/16/03 06:50 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

[TimeKeeper_CYMRU]

Hi All

A report on the USA team's activities in SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, has been posted on the <font color=red>Federation Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS)</font color=red> website.

Please link to : <A HREF="http://www.rollersports.org" target="_new">http://www.rollersports.org</A>

You will need to hit <font color=blue>(Read more... </font color=blue> following the first paragraph.

<font color=blue>John
Great Britain</font color=blue>