2012 - An Olympic Odyssey

In a few short hours the book will be closed on 2011, and a new one will start on 2012. For those in Canada's amateur sport community the hope is that the story on Canada's Olympic Team will read a Top 12 finish at the London Olympics. No one knows wether or not this is medal tally is possible but those within the know say that Canada will come a little short of reaching its goal.

According to a Globe & Mail report Lucian Barrro an Italian Sports Official predicts that Canada will finish the games with 16 medals, 5 of which will be gold, to finish 18th overall in the medal standing. A USA report predicts much the same with Canada winning 18 medals - 6 of which are gold to finish 17th overall.

Projected Gold Medallists for Canada include

Mary Spencer - Boxing - A three time world champion and arguably Canada's best chance for gold in 2012

Tara Whitten - Cycling - A two time world champion in the Omnion - and a certain hope for Canada in London.

Catherine Pendrel - Mountain Biking - Narrowly lost Bronze in 2008. She is know hoping to win gold in 2012 and enters the Games as the defending world champion in the sport.

Roseline Filion / Meaghan Benfelto - Diving - Having been together for 6+ years, the two hope to put their experience to work in 2012

Brent Hayden - Freestyle Swimming - Looking to avenge a poor performance in 2008, Brent enters 2012 as the World Champion in the 100m Freestyle

Ryan Cochrane - Canada's lone medallist in the pool in 2008, Ryan looks to upgrade his medal this year.

Heatstroke is proud of all of Canada's amateur athletes that will compete in London, but once again wonders aloud as to where Canada's minority athletes have gone - especially amongst our males. 2012 is shaping up once again, to be the 5th consecutive Olympiad where Canada's male medallists will all be white anglo saxon.