The following is being distributed at the request of Sport Newfoundland and Labrador:

Samantha Marsh Shoots 3x20 Finals at Australian Youth Olympic Festival

Newfoundland target shooter, Samantha Marsh of Mount Pearl competed in the 6th Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) this past week. Conditions on the Sydney Olympic Range were very good, with temperatures in the mid-20s, bright sun and light winds. Unfortunately, Ms. Marsh was shooting shortly after arriving from Canada. She lost a day of travel due to weather and airport conditions, leaving her less acclimatized than she had hoped to be. This contributed to her shooting 599.7 out of 709.0 to finish 6th, ahead of Jessica Grant of New Zealand in the women’s 50 metre, 3 X 20 match. Marsh’s teammate, Aerial Arthur of Saskatchewan, fired 647.0 to take the silver medal. Full details can be found at ayof2013.olympics.com.au/results.

Canada picked up a total of two medals in shooting and another seven in swimming. The other shooting medal was a Bronze for Jeremy Gyoerick of Saskatchewan, in the Men’s 25 Metre Rapid Fire Event.

This AYOF is an IOC sanctioned multisport event held with the goal of encouraging the youth of the world to embark on the Olympic path. In total over 1,700 athletes from 30 countries took part 17 sports. Canada fielded both a shooting and a swimming team. In the shooting events, nine countries sent 79 athletes, where Team Canada had eight athletes in rifle, pistol and trap. For many countries such as Australia, this event has launched their Olympic carriers. In the case of Australia, 150 of their Olympians have competed at past festivals winning over 19 medals since 2004. The next stage in the IOC system of competition will be the second 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

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Media contact:
Dave Woolridge
709-778-0405
dave.woolridge@mi.mun.ca 

2013 01 21                              4:10 p.m.