Sunday, February 17, 2002
Clegg conquers nerves
By BRUCE GARRIOCH -- Ottawa Sun
SOLDIER HOLLOW, Utah -- Robin Clegg will leave the Olympics behind today, feeling good about himself.
After winning an appeal to get into the Games because of an argument over whether he was eligible, the 24-year-old Ottawa native finished 42nd overall in yesterday's men's 12-km pursuit biathlon.
While he got off to a quick start, Clegg fell to the back of the pack, but was pleased with his finish in the 56-man field. With his Olympics completed, he's going to return to his Canmore, Alta., home in the next couple of days.
"I was overzealous at first," admitted Clegg. "I started pretty quick. I made up 4-5 spots in the first lap. I was really crushing (it) hard, but I paid for it in the last couple of laps. I slowed down quite a lot and it hurt my shooting the last couple of rounds in the range. Overall, it was an okay race."
Making his first appearance at the Olympics, Clegg was the only biathlete for Canada.
"It was great to experience the whole atmosphere of the Games," said Clegg. "The event of the Olympics and all the hype surrounding it along with the added pressure and stress. It's great to experience it all and I learned a lot I can use in future years of competition.
He will spend the next four years getting ready for the next Winter Olympics in Turino, Italy, in 2006.
"I've always belonged here. I never really thought I didn't. I qualified, I met the criteria, so there should be no doubt I should have been here. It's nice to pull off some good results and prove it," said Clegg.
2002 Games Biathlon Coverage
