BELGRADE, Serbia – Former University of Lethbridge Pronghorn Jim Steacy (BASc '09), a hammer throw finalist at last summer's Beijing Olympics, has been named as Canada's flag-bearer for the 2009 Summer Universiade opening ceremonies.
Mr. John Morrison, ambassador of Canada to the Republic of Serbia, Republic of Macedonia and Montenegro, made the announcement at a Team Canada reception held at his residence in Belgrade.
The 25th World University Games will officially begin Wednesday when athletes from 143 countries march into Belgrade Arena.
Steacy, who was born in Saskatoon and now resides in Lethbridge, Alta., became the first Canadian in 84 years to reach the Olympic final in the hammer throw last summer in China, finishing in 10th position.
The 25-year-old has adorned the maple leaf at numerous international competitions including gold-medal performances in the hammer throw at the 2007 Pan American Games and 2005 Francophone Games, a silver-medal finish in his top event at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, as well as an appearance at the 2005 Universiade in Izmir, Turkey, where he competed in the hammer throw and discus. He holds the Canadian hammer throw record of 79.13 metres.
Steacy, a Bachelor of Arts and Science graduate from the University of Lethbridge, is one of the most decorated athletes in Canadian Interuniversity Sport indoor track & field history. He was named CIS track & field male rookie of the year in 2002-03, was chosen CIS track & field male athlete of the year - in field events - on four occasions. He is also a five-time weight throw champion and a three-time shot put gold medallist in five appearances at the CIS national championships, and was undefeated in the weight throw at any competition over his five-year university career.
"Jim was an outstanding CIS student-athlete for five years and has been a great representative of Canada at many international sporting events," said Team Canada chef-de-mission Drew Love. "We're honoured and pleased to announce him as our flag-bearer for the Universiade opening ceremonies.
"Today was a very special day for the entire Canadian delegation as we had the chance to announce our flag-bearer and celebrate Canada Day at the ambassador's residence."
The Summer Universiade is an international multi-sport event that takes place every two years, and is second only to the Olympic Games in the number of participating athletes and countries. The Universiade is open to competitors between the ages of 17 and 28 in the year of the Games who are full-time students at a post-secondary institution (university, college, CEGEP) or have graduated from a post-secondary institution in the year preceding the event.
