News Release

NICE, France (GNB) – Geneviève Lalonde of Moncton registered a personal best and won the bronze medal in the 3,000-metre steeplechase today at the VIIth Jeux de la Francophonie in Nice France. This was the fifth medal won by Team Canada – New Brunswick at the Games.

Lalonde registered a personal best and established a New Brunswick record, cutting more than two seconds off her time with 9 minutes, 53.35, seven seconds behind the winner, Ancuta Bobocel of Romania.

''Finally, things are working for me,'' Lalonde said after the race. ''Things worked well at the Canada Games, and I did well on the international scene. It is interesting to be back. I did not have a specific strategy in the race; I wanted to stay with the Canadian runners. I felt good, and I was relaxed for the first few metres. I am happy with my time.

“The medal and performance will motivate me to compete in future competitions and to continue for a few more years. I know I can come back from a long time of injuries and a flat period. The Canadian girls really helped me out, and it will be interesting to return to the Canadian team. This is the end of the track season, and I will take a week off before returning to cross-country with the University of Guelph.''

Caleb Jones of Saint John finished fifth in the javelin with a distance of 69.69 metres. The gold medal was won by Poland's Likasz Grzeszczuk won gold with a distance of 78.62 metres.

''I felt good and had no injuries; it was a total different environment for me,'' said Jones. ''My distance was not awful. I had to force it and the timing and technique were not there. I trained and peaked for the Canada Games and tried to peak again for these, but my body did not respond.''

Twin sisters Lydia and Nadine Frost of Bocabec placed 13th and 15th, respectively, in the 1,500 metres.

Nadine Frost said she had to battle for space at the beginning of the race.

''I am happy even if the start was slow,'' she said. ''I wanted to remain with the other Canadians, and it was interesting.''

Added Lydia Frost: ''I enjoyed it and I was able to find room in the race.''

In judo, Maxime Raymond (-81 kilograms) of Kedgwick lost his first match of the day to Mamantsa Ratsimiziva of Madagascar. He lost by accumulating four penalty points while being behind by two yokos. He did not qualify for the repêchage.

Team Canada New Brunswick’s schedule for Sept. 13:

Track and field

●    Hammer throw: Elizabeth MacDonald (Oromocto).
●    800 metres: Grace Annear (Hampton).

Judo

●    Miguel Raymond (Kedgwick) (-90 kilograms).
●    Marc Fortner (Fredericton) (-100 kilograms).
●    Martine Chenhall (Saint John) (-78 kilograms)

Culture painting and photography

●    Medal presentations: Jaret Belliveau (Memramcook) and Sarah Jones (Saint John).