Posted: December 14, 2005

Athletics: Saskatoon’s Robert Hanson wins bronze medal in pole vault at Francophone Games

NIAMEY, Niger- Robert Hanson of Saskatoon won the bronze medal in the men’s pole vault event to highlight Canada’s day in track and field on Tuesday at the Francophone Games.

After three days of competition, Team Canada has six medals in track and field: two gold, a silver and three bronze.

In the men’s pole vault, Damiel Dossevi led France to a 1-2 finish clearing 5.40 metre with Pierre-Charles Peuf second at 5.30. Hanson equalled a personal best by clearing 5.20 metres on his second attempt for a rare international medal for Canada in the event.

“I’m quite ecstatic,” said Hanson, who is completing his degree this year in mechanical engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. “I came to his competition well prepared and I wanted to do well. I stuck pretty much to my game plan.”

It didn’t all go smoothly for Hanson. At 5.10 metres, he needed the maximum three attempts after he hit his head on the bar on his first attempt nicking himself above the eye. The wound was quickly patched up by the Canadian medical staff and Hanson resumed without any delay.

Hanson was a member of the Canadian team at the World University Games this past August in Turkey where he placed 16th.

“I love travelling and this is my first trip to Africa so it’s been a wonderful experience although the heat is overwhelming here,” he said. “These Games have really gone smoothly for us.”

Canada has a 38-member track and field team at the Games which reunites nations and regions of the world that have French as a common language. Canada has two other teams at the Games. Canada-Quebec and Canada-New Brusnwick. The previous Francophone Games in 2001 were held in Ottawa-Hull.

The track and field competition runs until Friday.