Former Olympic coach returns from Pan Am Games

Barrie Shepley

Barrie Shepley is just back from the Pan American Games where Canada continues to excel at the Rio Brazil Multisport Games.

"Seeing the 400-plus Canadian kids march into the 90,000-seat opening ceremonies was very special," said the former Olympic coach. Shepley has lived in the area for a decade and continues to coach many local age group, junior and elite athletes.

"The Pan American Games is a major stepping stone to the Beijing Olympic Games and seeing athletes like former Dorado swimmer Keith Beavers get a bronze medal is a great sign for Canada headed toward next year's Olympics," said Shepley. Shepley has been coaching triathlete Marc Decaul from Grenada who came to Canada because he had no coaching in his island country. Decaul was one of 100 triathletes from around the world who raced in front of 250,000 spectators on the Rio Beach. Shepley was asked by the Grenada Olympic Association to help coach their lone triathlete.

Shepley was recently selected Canada's coach of the year for Triathlon Canada and will be recognized in a supper in Quebec Aug. 4.

"A coach is only as good as the talent and determination of their athletes, and I have been blessed to have the C3 organization and the many committed co-coaches and athletes to support me," said Shepley.

He helped start Kids of Steel nearly 20 years ago, and the program was a spring-board for Olympic champion Simon Whitfield, and local international triathlon stars Sean Bechtel, Andrew Woegerer and Andrew Yorke.

"Andrew Yorke making the National Junior Team for the World Championships in Germany is a major accomplishment and I know he will use this as a stepping stone towards future international success," said coach Shepley.

C3 is a non-profit club in the area that continues to motivate first time adults and kids get started in running, biking, swimming and triathlon. Anyone interested in getting started should check out the club's Web site at www.c3online.ca or e-mail info@c3online.ca.