I've been following Mary Spencer's story for a while now.
For those non-Canucks who likely don't know, she is a three time World Champion, with her streak of golds interrupted by one Bronze in 2006(Also, five Pan American Games gold medals, and eight Canadian Championships, with a record of 118 wins, 8 losses at most recent website update) , and was by and large considered to be Canada's best bet for a gold medal in the Olympics this year- the first year that Women's Boxing has been in the Olympics.
Unfortunately, despite absolutely kicking ass for the last 8 years, she was eliminated early from this year's World Championship tournament, putting her into non contention for the Olympics despite having been ranked number 1 in the world before her losing bout. Since her elimination, she has been on the list of potential "Wild card" entries for this years games- each continent gets one wild card entrant per weight division (And the IOC identifies North and South America as one continent)- so it's been iffy since then as to whether or not she'd make it.
Normally, there are few things I care less about than the summer Olympics, but, as a Spencer myself, and with a history of boxing within my family (My dad broke the streak by going into wrestling instead- my great grandma wouldn't talk to him for a long time over it, to hear him tell the story) I took a keen interest in her story. No relation whatsoever, far as I can tell (No Ojibwe or any other first nations in my family that I'm aware of), but nonetheless I'm rooting for her.
Anyway, today she was officially selected by the IOC and will get to compete.
For those non-Canucks who likely don't know, she is a three time World Champion, with her streak of golds interrupted by one Bronze in 2006(Also, five Pan American Games gold medals, and eight Canadian Championships, with a record of 118 wins, 8 losses at most recent website update) , and was by and large considered to be Canada's best bet for a gold medal in the Olympics this year- the first year that Women's Boxing has been in the Olympics.
Unfortunately, despite absolutely kicking ass for the last 8 years, she was eliminated early from this year's World Championship tournament, putting her into non contention for the Olympics despite having been ranked number 1 in the world before her losing bout. Since her elimination, she has been on the list of potential "Wild card" entries for this years games- each continent gets one wild card entrant per weight division (And the IOC identifies North and South America as one continent)- so it's been iffy since then as to whether or not she'd make it.
Normally, there are few things I care less about than the summer Olympics, but, as a Spencer myself, and with a history of boxing within my family (My dad broke the streak by going into wrestling instead- my great grandma wouldn't talk to him for a long time over it, to hear him tell the story) I took a keen interest in her story. No relation whatsoever, far as I can tell (No Ojibwe or any other first nations in my family that I'm aware of), but nonetheless I'm rooting for her.
Anyway, today she was officially selected by the IOC and will get to compete.
