Abe Avender (right) is part of the staff for Canada's men's volleyball team, while Ethan Katzberg (centre) and Olivia Lundman (left) will compete in track and field in Paris. (Photos courtesy VIU/Athletics Canada/Olivia Lundman)

By Alex Rawnsley

medal focus

When to watch: Mid-Island athletes preparing for Paris Olympics

Jul 25, 2024 | 5:33 AM

NANAIMO — The Games of the 32nd Olympiad are underway, with a handful of mid-Island athletes and staff preparing for their shot at gold.

While preliminary play in Rugby Sevens and soccer got underway Wednesday, the Opening Ceremonies officially kick off the games on Friday, July 26.

Nanaimo’s Ethan Katzberg and Olivia Lundman headline local medal hopes, while VIU’s Abe Avender will play a big role with the men’s volleyball team.

Katzberg, 22, is a very strong medal chance and reigning world champion in the men’s hammer throw event.

He won the title at the 2023 World Athletics Championships with a Canadian record throw of 81.25 metres and became the youngest ever men’s hammer throw world title holder.

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During the main global track and field tour, the Diamond League, Katzberg won a pair of promotional events in Paris, France and Oslo, Norway.

In addition to his world title, Katzberg is a Commonwealth Games silver medalist from 2022.

Katzberg’s competition opens Aug. 2 at 1:10 a.m. with qualification rounds, followed by the final on Aug. 4 starting around 11:30 a.m.

Lundman’s Olympic debut will come in a new event, the Marathon Race Walk Relay with her race partner and coach Evan Dunfee, from Richmond.

Their qualification came at the 2024 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships.

Lundman, 21, is a decorated race walker at the U18 and U20 levels, including multiple national titles.

She won gold in the 10 kilometre event at the Canadian U20 Championships in 2022, then won the 20 kilometre race at the 2023 Canadian Championships.

She’s also the Canadian U20 record holder in the women’s five, 10 and 20 kilometre events.

Lundman and Dunfee will compete in their race on Aug. 6 beginning at 10:30 p.m.

Finally, Canada’s men’s volleyball team will also have some local flavour as VIU Mariners head coach Abe Avender serves as the team’s lead chiropractor.

Avender is a Doctor of Chiropractic in Nanaimo in addition to his coaching duties.

Canada opens up its tournament on July 28 at 12 p.m. against Slovenia.

A complete list of Olympic event dates and times is available on the Paris 2024 website.

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