Posted: July 2, 2005

Athletics: Three gold for Chantal Petitclerc and two gold for Diane Roy at America Series wheelchair racing event

ATLANTA- Chantal Petitclerc of Montreal won three gold medals and two silver while Diane Roy of Sherbrooke, Que., added two more gold for Canada to conclude the Meet in the Heat wheelchair racing track event which also served as the fourth stop on the America Series circuit.

Petitclerc earned victories in the 100, 200 and 400 metre races and was second in the 800 and 1,500. In the 400 she clocked 53.26 seconds, her second fastest ever time and less than two seconds off her world mark of 51.91 set last year at the Paralympic Games in Athens where she won five gold.

"This is only my second track event this year so I'm very pleased," said Petitclerc, the only entry to compete in all five finals on Saturday. "I went in with the mentality I could win all five gold. But I'm most pleased with my 400. It was my last event and I was feeling pretty tired at that point."

Roy clocked the second fastest time ever in the 800-metre for the victory in 1:48.07. Petitclerc who broke the world record in the distance in Friday's semifinal at 1:47.50, was second in 1:48.40.

"That's a bit of a surprise for me because the 800 is not my best race," said Roy, who also won the 1,500 and was second in the 400. "But I had a solid race plan tonight and decided to make my move on the last lap."

Daniel Normandin of Montreal added a victory in the 100-metre race and Dean Bergeron of Quebec City earned a second gold placing first in the 200 for quadriplegics just ahead of Andre Beaudoin of Montreal who took the silver.

"This is my first big international victory so I'm thrilled," said Normandin. "What helps me the most is my start and my confidence."

Jeff Adams of Toronto also had solid day with bronze medal performances in the 200 and 400-metre races.

The final event in the America Series is Peachtree Road Race, a 10-kilometre race in Atlanta on Monday.

Source: Canadian Sports News.