Dal makes its mark at FISU Games

If the Olympic Games are the pinnacle of international athletic competition, the FISU Universiade isn’t far behind.

In fact, the event—the premier competition of the Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire (International University Sports Federation)—ranks second only to the Olympics as the world’s largest international multi-sport event. Staged every two years, it’s a sporting and cultural festival that, this August, hosted more than 10,000 athletes in Shenzhen, China.

And joining them was Dalhousie men’s basketball coach John Campbell. There to serve as an assistant coach with the men’s team, he returned to Halifax last week with a silver medal in hand.

“They say you win bronze and lose silver, but by the next morning, I think all our players had put into perspective just how significant an accomplishment this was,” he says.

High performance

The Canadian team lost a tough final game against Serbia 68-55, after fighting its way to the championship showdown against some incredibly difficult competition. According to Mr. Campbell, it was some of the toughest university-level ball he’s seen.

“The players astounded me with their ability to perform as a unit...these were players who’ve seen a lot of success—CIS finalists, national champions, award winners—but they used their confidence to work together and push the team to the next level.”

Though he was so busy coaching that he didn’t get to see much of China, Mr. Campbell says the experience was a memorable one.

“The professional development was great, but personally, it was also the chance to just be there in China, where I might not necessarily go as a tourist, surrounded by many of the best athletes in the world. That was pretty special.”

Taking in the energy

Heather Hennigar, head coach for Dal’s men’s and women’s cross country and track & field team (middle and long distance) was also selected to go to Shenzhen as part of the coaching staff for Team Canada. Though the team did not win any medals, its athletes had the opportunity to compete in a truly elite field: because the World Track & Field Championships were in Korea the following week, many countries sent their best performers to Shenzhen as a tune-up.

“It was amazing, absolutely amazing,” says Ms. Hennigar. “You have 120 national teams all staying in this village. The energy was phenomenal and the whole event was extremely well organized. I’ve never participated in an event quite like it.”

Motivation to perform

Dal student and swimmer David Sharpe also felt the fierceness of competition at Shenzhen. Though his 28th place finish in the 50m backstroke and 27th place finish in the 100m were impressive, they were actually lower than his rank at the 2009 games in Belgrade (he finished 20th in the 100m there). He says that some of the races he got to watch in Shenzhen—let along the ones he competed in—were astounding.

“It’s an invaluable opportunity, to get to be part of Team Canada with other swimmers, at our level, with the same goals and drive. It really motivates you to perform. Plus, the FISU Games themselves are just so huge. The atmosphere and venues are about as good as it can get.”

Well, almost: Mr. Sharpe plans to spend much of his fall training in hopes of making the Canadian Olympic team for the 2012 Games in London.