Risk heading to Francophone Games

North Bay's Brian Risk has been selected to coach on the National Track and Field team for the Francophone Games scheduled for Niger in December. This will be Risk's sixteenth appearance as a National Team Coach for Canada.

The Francophone Games are a multi-sport/cultural activity contested amongst countries which have French as one of their official languages. The games are held every four years and will include over fifty countries and 2500 participants. The sports will include track, basketball, judo, soccer and wheelchair athletics. The cultural events include painting, sculpture, choreography, video and crafts.

Risk is a teacher-coach at Chippewa Secondary School and a coach on the North Bay Legion Track Club. He is a NCCP Level 5 coach and will work with the pole vaulters on the national squad. The athletes are the top three finishers at last summer's national championships. Risk commented about the assignment, "This will be a great opportunity for our vaulters to compete on the world stage. Two of our jumpers from the 2001 Francophone Games were able to make the step to compete in the Olympics in
Athens."

Niger will present many unusual challenges for the team. The country, located in central Africa, is considered to be one of the poorest countries in the world.

Risk said water, malaria and infectious disease are major concerns.

"Sport Canada has given us very specific information on vaccinations, what to eat and what to drink. We will stay in the Canadian village and should be fine. But, I suspect the level of technology, accommodations and general culture will be quite different. Mental preparation will play a big part of performance." Sport Canada will bring a team of about 400 athletes, coaches and medical personnel to the games.

Principal Vince Gagne at Chippewa Secondary School is pleased with the selection and see's many benefits to the school.

"This creates a great situation for Brian and the school. These opportunities allow him to bring new information back to our program not only on athlete preparation but also geography, culture, alternative educational plans and leadership."

Gagne sees the benefits of role modeling for the students too.

"The Chippewa students and athletes get to work hand in hand with someone who has worked at the professional level of sport for over ten years. This is very inspiring for them as they set goals and pursue their full potential," said Gagne.

The Games will run in Niamey, Niger from December 7 to 17th.

Submitted to BayToday.ca