Brett Bonderud
Black Press
White Rock weightlifter Christine Girard’s monster efforts at the Ogopogo weightlifting championships in Kelowna last weekend have earned her the top spot on the Canadian national women’s team and a trip to the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico this October.
Girard placed first in her 63-kg weight class, beating out two dozen other women for the coveted position on the women’s national team.
She was competing against other female athletes from across the country to represent Canada at the Pan-Am Games.
“It was a bit challenging. We were all fighting for the one spot,” Girard told Peace Arch News.
The Pan-Am Games are a test for the World Championships to be held in Paris in November. Finishing well at the Worlds means qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics Games.
“My goal is the podium,” she said. “It will be the first time that a female Canadian Olympic weightlifter will have a medal at the Olympics. It will be historic.”
Girard competed for Canada at the 2008 Olympic Games in Bejiing – finishing fourth overall.