February 28, 2006 Source: University of Toronto:
http://www.news.utoronto.ca/bin6/060228-2089.asp Gold, bronze new U of T colours Alumni, students, faculty experience the Olympics
Feb 28/06
by Elizabeth Monier-Williams A trio of U of T Olympians returned triumphant from the Olympic Games in Turin, while a fourth narrowly missed a podium finish. Alumnae Vicki Sunohara and Jayna Hefford, former members of the Varsity Blues women’s hockey team, each added a hockey gold medal to those earned in Salt Lake City in 2002. Canada faced the Swedes in the gold medal game, where they dominated the match from start to finish, defeating Sweden by 4-1. In a repeat of her feat at the Salt Lake City Games in 2002, Hefford scored Canada’s final goal of the game. She also had an assist during the first period, finishing the tournament with three goals and four assists. "This may be the most balanced team in the tournament," Hefford told CBC reporters. "We have four lines that can score on anyone and great goaltending. It was just a real team effort." Assistant captain and fellow alumna Sunohara had one goal and two assists during the tournament and has been a member of the national women’s hockey team for the better part of 15 years. When asked about her plans for 2010, Sunohara told reporters, "I’d love to continue playing but these young kids are really knocking on the door, so we’ll see." Jeffrey Buttle, a U of T chemical engineering and applied chemistry student and Canadian men’s national figure skating champion, rocketed back from a sixth-place finish in the Olympic short program to win bronze medal with his performance in the free program. Skating to Samson and Delilah, Buttle scored 76.80 technical points and 78.50 for his program components. "Oh, my God, it's nuts," were the first words out of his mouth, The Canadian Press reported. "This is huge for me. I was happy with how I skated — I was just happy with that, but this is, like, insane. I didn't think I'd be able to come back that much." Heather Moyse, an occupational therapy master’s degree student, earned a fourth-place finish in the two-man bobsled, pushing pilot Helen Upperton and the sled close to the podium. Moyse, a member of the Canadian national rugby team and a recent recruit to bobsledding, is considering competing in Vancouver in 2010. "I don't think I ever expected to love the sport," Moyse told The Canadian Press. "I have and it's awesome." U of T physical education student Kate Foster participated in the snowboarding competition in Turin. She returns without a medal, but with some solid Olympic experience. Other U of T Olympic connections included Professor Julia Alleyne of family and community medicine who served as Canada’s assistant chief medical officer at the Games and alumnus Chris Rudge, chair of the Canadian Olympic Committee.
| 