27 May 2008 - World Cup Stage 3 – Quotes of Official Practice Day

World Cup Stage 3 – Quotes of Official Practice Day Antalya – 27 May 2008
There are two great interests with the World Cup Stage 3 in Antalya. Who will earn the points to qualify for the World Cup Final? Who will be selected in their teams for the Olympic Games (for those countries who have won places for Beijing)? Today, we talked to the athletes who are looking for an Olympic selection.
Recurve Men
Juan Rene Serrano (MEX) Normally, at the end of this World Cup event, Luis Eduardo Velez Sanchez and I will be selected for the Olympic Games! We are leading the national ranking. The selection process is based on the results during the World Cup stages, the performance in training and the skill analysis from the coaches. I hope I will make my country proud during the Olympics!
Magnus Petersson (SWE) I earned a place for Sweden at the last World Championships and, unfortunately the young archers in my country are not quite ready for the Olympic Games. Therefore, the national association chose me to represent Sweden last winter. I could also choose my coach Tomas Johansson. It’s good because we have been around the elite level a long time together. We know perfectly how to communicate with each other. During a match, the coaching must be very effective; we can’t lose any time. I am quietly preparing myself and I hope I will peak for the Olympic Games.
Gary Carr (GBR) – Performance Coordinator Most of our team is actually in the Beiter Centre for training with high speed camera. We want to look at every detail. We mainly took here our young archers, the Olympic hopefuls for London 2012. The selection process for Beijing 2008 will conclude shortly. We’ll have a training camp on 4-5 June, when we’ll narrow down the selection to six archers per gender. Then, on 18-19 June we’ll have another training camp when we’ll select the three archers and the alternate.
Filippo Clini (ITA) – Coach We started the selection process in January and February and we identified three starters and two alternates. Then we gave the chance to every one during the World Cup stages. After Antalya, the coaches will meet again to decide who will be the three archers and the alternate for the Olympic Games.
Recurve Women
Victoria Koval (UKR) As you know, we have earned only two individual spots for the Games. Now, we have an internal ranking. We are scoring points during the World Cup stages in Porec, Antalya, Boe and during the European Championships in Vittel. Right now, I am leading that ranking and I have good chances to go to Beijing. Then it’s very tight among the second, third and fourth archers. We’ll know for sure after Boe.
Justyna Mospinek (POL) Most of the selection process will take place at the World Cup stage in Boe. If two girls reach the top 16, they will qualify. The third one will be chosen by the coach based on the year performances.
Aida Roman (MEX) We have only two places for Beijing. The coach should make his decision after Antalya. We have a national ranking. Currently I am in first place and Mariana Avitia is second. However, the four girls present at this Antalya World Cup still have a chance. Only the two selected archers should then go to Boe.
Femke Boonen (NED) We earned two spots at the last World Championships in Leipzig but still need to do a significant performance this year so that our National Olympic Committee selects us. We need a top 6-7 rank at either the World Cup stage in Antalya or in Boe. I must say I was a bit fortunate during my matches in Leipzig, but I have been not so lucky since the beginning of the season. Many times, I have lost a match although I had made a higher score than average. However, to get easier matches, one should also rank higher during the qualifications day (on which the match bracket is based). If I am in a good day, I am convinced I can reach the quarter-final here in Antalya or Boe.
Coby Hurkmans (NED) I was shooting really well last year. I changed my bow this winter with the new evolution, but it didn’t work for me at all. So for Antalya I prepared with my old bow again and I feel that I am shooting much better.
Sigrid Romero (COL) The three archers selected were announced a little while ago. I am one of them and I am so happy. This is a dream come true! Our team created a big surprise when we qualified during the World Championships last year. The same archers will represent Columbia in the Olympic Games. However, we had to go through a selection process based on our results from last year and this year.
Team Chinese Taipei We have an internal ranking. The results during the World Cup stages count for 60% and some other competitions in Chinese Taipei weigh 40%. At the end, the top three archers will represent the team in Beijing. Right now, Yuan Shu Chi and Wu Hui Ju have good chances to be selected. There is a tight race for the third spot.
Team Coach (KOR) Before the World Cup in Porec, we narrowed down the selection to four women and four men. The same four archers will compete here in Antalya, as well. Then, we will choose the three that will make the Korean teams before the World Cup stage in Boe. We will have like a full dress rehearsal at the World Cup in Boe.

Didier Miéville FITA Communication