Veuillex cliquer ici pour voir la version française

Ottawa – Athletics Canada is proud to announce that Jared Connaughton of New Haven, P.E.I., has been confirmed for the invitational 200-metres at the inaugural AC Indoor Open. Jared is a 200-metres Olympic Games semi-finalist and has been a part of five World Championship/Olympic teams. His 2013 season included international victories in Japan and Brazil.

2012 Olympic Games

AC: Last July an injury took away your opportunity to compete at the World Championships. After recovering, you were able to bounce back and help Canada earn a gold in the relay at the Francophone Games. How are you feeling coming into the 2014 season? What goals or aspirations do you have for this year?

JC: The 2013 season was a difficult one for me, to say the least. I was hampered by a chronic achilles injury hangover from 2012, which limited my preparations for the Canadian Championship/Worlds Trials. Despite all that I earned a silver medal in the 200-metres, my 11th Canadian Championship medal since 2006. I thought my progress towards Worlds was going well until a nasty adductor pull ended my chances to compete in Moscow. I was proud to see the relay team grab bronze and I was honoured to win gold in Nice as a part of the Francophone Games relay team.

The preparations for 2014 have progressed well and I’m excited to see what this season has in store. Staying healthy is more of a priority now than ever before.

AC: There are rumblings you would like to break the facility record at the Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard. What objectives do you have for the AC Indoor Open?

JC: I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to race in the indoor 200-metres, an event rarely contested outside the NCAA system. It’s been nearly 7 seasons since I’ve contested the distance but I’d love to go under 21 seconds. That may be a tall order, it really depends on a combination of lane draw and fitness, we shall see.

AC: What aspects are you working on to improve in 2014?

JC: My focus with regards to improvements, are vast. Generally I’d like to be more bio mechanically symmetrical and I believe that comes from improvement in core strength and postural stability, areas that perhaps went under developed in the past.

2012 Olympic Trials

AC: What are you most looking forward to on your trip to Montreal for the AC Indoor Open?
JC: I’m looking forward to visiting Montreal and I’d love to take in a Canadiens games. I’m a diehard Bruins nut but I can really appreciate the rich history and tradition of the Habs.

The 2014 AC Indoor Open will take place in Montreal, Que., March 14 – 16 at the newly renovated Centre Claude-Robillard. The event serves as a Canadian Championship for youth and junior athletes and will feature a number of Olympians and World Championship national team members in invitational events. For more information and to register for the inaugural AC Indoor Open visit www.indoors.athletics.ca