(Reuters) – Liam Gill was ready to watch the Beijing Olympics from afar however will now attend as a competitor as Canada Snowboard mentioned on Monday he’ll fill a quota spot in the lads’s halfpipe following an damage to compatriot Derek Livingston.
The 18-year-old Gill, who acquired the information solely days earlier than the crew departed for Beijing, would be the second-youngest member of the Canadian snowboarding contingent competing on the Feb. 4-20 Olympics.
“I awakened to the information and I did not understand how to really feel. Derek is an idol of mine who has just about introduced me by means of the previous few years,” mentioned Gill. “So once I considered going to the Games I wished to go together with Derek.
“I had completely given up on any hope of going and hadn’t even packed my stuff. I’m stoked to be going. I’ve a couple of runs up my sleeve and actually need to make it depend.”
Livingston, who has been in the highest 10 on the final two world championships and has two profession World Cup podiums, was on monitor to compete in his third Olympics till he sustained a decrease physique damage following a latest coaching run.
“I’m devastated that I will not have the opportunity to compete for Canada on the Olympics, however I’m tremendous excited for Liam and may’t wait to watch my fellow Canadians on the Games,” mentioned Livingston, who was the lone Canadian man to qualify in halfpipe.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
