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26 - Tisa Canadien Champion, Tuesday, Apnl 18, 2000 #2-342 Broste S. Olympic dream nearly a reality .~ for local cyclist Photo by GRAHAM PAINE vTennis, anyone? Scott Nerneth, 15, and a few of hlm friends took advantmge of th, warrn weather Saturday tc, goS In smre mariy action at the Milton Tennis Club. Registrations are now being accepted and the clubs op.nlng day la Saturday, May q. By MURRAY TOWNSEND Special ta Thse Champion What do kangaroos, shrimp on the barbie, and Campbellville's Chrissy 1Redden have in com- mon? Ticy'li ail be at the Olympics in Australia this summer. The mountain bike racer's spot isn"'t fully guaranteed yet, but for ail intents and purposes she is already on the Canadian' team. Only two Canadian women cyclists have passed the qualification standards. the other being Alison Sydor, who took home a silver medal at the last Olympics. Canada was ranked uirst in the world ai the end of 1999, s0 they are aliowed to take three cyclists to, Australia. In two World Cup races this year, both in California, 33-year-old Redden bas fin- ished fourth and fifth. Her current world ranking is fourth. *'It's really exciting. 1 quit my job three and a haîf years ago ta give myseif the proper training and everything 1 had so 1 could go ta the Olympics. 1 find mysel in year 2000 and 1 id that ail my plans have gone accarding ta plan." She receives a lot of support frora hus- band, Chris, and from both families, but she is aware where ber motivation must originate. "It's got ta corne from witbin. Anyone cati go out and race and give 80 per cent, but ta give that extra 15 per cent takes aometbing special, and then ta give 95- 100 per cent takes a special persan. It bas ta corne from really deep inside. "To give that extra five percent is wben 1 fine it is most rewarding. Not everybody can go there. That cati be the difference isetween ftrst and tenth, nos the difféence isetween firat and second." Redden bas learned bow ta get ta that next level. "1 do a lot af mental training. As you train your body pisysically, you have ta train your body mentally. 1 do a lot of positive affirmations." Wbat she means is that during a race wben the blaad stops flowing ta your brain, snd negative thaughta begin ta pop up, she bas alresdy convinced herseli in Chrissy Redden has battled her way ta the top of the world mountaîn biking scene. advance that she wili stay strong and work througb it. Redden is off to Victorta, B.C. soon to do some intensive work as the national training centre, then it's back to more rac- ing on tbe World Cup circuit as well as other venues, including the world champi- onsbips in Jonc. For the final six weeks leading up ta the Olympics sise wili be witb the national team and coach, and will go down under well beiore ber event, wbich is in late September. One other event that is very important ta ber is Tira Horton's Annual Camp Day, wbere ail praceeda go ta tise Tira Harton's Children's Foundation. Sise expeets ta be as a couple of local outiets on May 24 ta chat witis patrons and sign autograps. Redden had no ides tisas fooling sround witis mauntain bikes about eigbt years ago would lead ta such a passion for tise sport and sucis succets. Now, tisat tse will ise on tise world'a centre stage in Sydney, Auttralia, tse knaws bow ase wants ta play it aut. "Give everytising 1 cati. If giving every- tbing I bave is not goad enougs for a medal, tisas tise way it is and I' haiappy with tisas. As long as I've given 100 per- cent. But, my ultimate goal is ta came back witis a medal." 1