Jody Holden of Toronto feels he and his partner Conrad Leinemann of Kelowna, B.C., are medal material at next month's Olympic Games in men's beach volleyball. They posted four top-10 finishes in 13 tournaments this season including a seventh place at the Mexico stop. That record would have been better if they hadn't been forced to meet one of the top-three Brazilian pairs currently ranked in the world's top-five on several occasions. They are seeded 18th for the Games and face number-seven Kevin Wong and Rob Heidger of the U.S., in the first round.

 "We've been playing against the world's best teams all summer long," said Holden, who formed a partnership with Leinemann four years ago. "And we've beaten everybody at least once. Now it's just a matter of putting it all together at one tournament. It's going to be an extremely tough competition. All 24 teams can make the top-three. There's been a lot of parity on the world circuit this year."

 These will be the first Games for the pair who both played the indoor game in university.

2000 Games
Sept. 22: Jody Holden, Shelburne, N.S., and Conrad Leinemann, Kelowna, B.C., lost 15-6 to Joerg Ahmann and Axel Hager, Germany, in second round, eliminated.
Sept. 17: Jody Holden, Toronto, and Conrad Leinemann, Kelowna, B.C., won opening-round match, 17-15 over Rob Heidger and Kevin Wong, U.S.


Photos
Jody Holden dives for the ball
Canadians Holden & Leinemann hit Bondi Beach
Conrad Leinemann claims to be No. 1
Jody Holden returns the ball

2000 Games Beach Volleyball Coverage