Brentwood Provides Sage Umpiring at Youth Olympics

Mrs. Debbie Sage, longtime rowing coach, Brentwood Regatta Chair, and Alex House Duty staff recently returned from Nanjing, China where she represented Canada on the umpiring team for rowing. “This was the second time that the Summer Youth Olympics was held (last time was Singapore in 2010) and it was an exceptional event for athletes under the age of 19 from across the world.  At the rowing venue there were 30 countries represented in both the single and pair races for men and women. The regatta was highly competitive and it was a great pleasure to see the flag of Canada raised for a bronze medal in two events. I was the only umpire from Canada at the rowing venue and worked with umpires from 14 other countries. It certainly was professional development situation for me and one that will hopefully help me qualify to represent Canada at other international rowing events. While at the games I attended other sporting events and watched Ruta Meilutyte win gold in the girls’ 100 breaststroke. That’s the same event in which she won gold at the 2012 London Olympic Games.  Going to China and visiting the sights and museums was an amazing experience. China was nothing like I thought it was going to be. It is beautiful. The people are very friendly and the history was mindboggling. I would go back in a minute to take in more of what the Chinese culture has to offer.” As careful readers of this site will recall, Brentwood also provided rowers and coaches to Canada’s international teams this summer including Elliot R, Rogers ‘15 & Ms. Robyn Amiel (World Juniors), Martin Barakso, Whittall ‘12 (World U23s), Ben Coull, Rogers ‘10 (World University), Brendan Hodge, Whittall ’03 (World Championships) as well as newcomers Sydney P, Mackenzie ‘15 and Evie A, Alexandra ‘15 (CanAmMex).