Race Pics

Hey everyone! Unfortunetly the race results arent up yet because Israel literally shuts down for shabbat on fridays and saturdays. In the mean time I figured I would keep you busy with some race pictures.

The Canadian Triathlon Team!:

Getting ready for the swim:


Coming out of the swim:


Moving on the bike:


Pushing it on the run:


Finally finished!:


Cooling off:

Tough Day of Competion

Today is July 17th 2009, Its been a long day! Ive just woken up from my long afternoon nap because I was up at 5am once again.

Today was race day. The big day that everyone has been waiting for including myself. I was feeling very confident and felt pretty good to begin with. The local Isreli competion was outstanding, these guys were extremely fast! I pushed as much as I could but the best result I could put up was 7th out of 8th. The extreme heat played a huge factor in slowing down all athletes. This morning around 9am it was about 33C but with the humidty around 38C. It was my first elite level international competition and I really got a taste of something new. Regardless of my result I leave the race with a positive attitude having accomplished a race at a high level of competion and not finishing in actual dead last. I also was able to race against some of the very best in my age category from countries around the world. I take this race as a step in a sport that Im super passionate about to help me with my future. I now know what the competition is like and will be prepared to race even better the next time around!



The official race results are not up yet and with a slower internet system it will be hard to find them. When I do, I will post them up right away!

Thanks for all your support, each one of you has helped me in ways you would never even imagine!

Stay posted for more about my trip as the next week or so ill be touring the country and taking easy.

Also, I will try and get more race pictures up soon!

Thanks again everyone!

Arrival In Tiberias

Hey everyone!

Hope many of you had the chance to catch the opening ceremonies on live feed the other night. It was quite a spectacular show with many acrobatics, preformers and pyrotechnics. My mom and sister were in the crowd but unfortunetly I was not able to find them. Im working on trying to get some pictures or footage up here soon but in the meantime please check out for pictures:

http://www.maccabicanada.com/maccabicanada/myweb.php?hls=10329

That asside, i've arrived in Tiberias and im reporting from here tonight. Its a beautiful city thats some good 250+ meters below sea level so its extremly hot and humid. Once we got here, my new roomate Barry and I teamed up with the Brits, Americans and Aussie's for a short ride on the bike course. Then just before supper we hit up the pool for a quick swim.

Thats it for now, I have to get to bed because we have to wake up at 5am to be on the bike course at 5:30am because the police is closing the road for practice.

So from Tiberias, Israel I say "Laila Tov!" (Good Night!)

Shalom and ill check in with you tomorrow!

The Automatic Conversation Starter

I find it pretty cool that every athlete and coach wears an accreditation tag around their necks. Each one includes your picture, your Maccabiah Athlete ID Number, Full Name, Sport Name and D.O.B. along with the flag of your country. As an athlete the accreditation allows you to access any sports venue or other places that are part of Maccabiah Games that the public cannot.

But the one thing I wanted to focus on is the fact that its an automatic conversation starter! When we were on the beach, trainings, hotels, or out in the public touring all kinds of people come up to speak to you and ask about your sport or even where your from etc... Its an easy way to tell who else is an athlete from another country and you can definetly start a conversation with them while in an elevator, a bus or just around town.



Its an awesome way to make friends and learn new things about new countries.

REMINDER: RACE DAY = Friday the 17th of July, 2009

Were Stars!

Here's a good one! Yesterday (Sunday) I went to train with the Canadian Track Team at the Hebrew University Track in Jerusalem. Just as we were almost done with our work out, a large group of about 100 kids who attend a summer camp came down to the track. They all line up along the track to watch my roomate Ben do the 100m Hurdles. He cleared all the hurdles and got to the end and they all started clapping for him! So they waited around as we packed up and changed and then ran after us to the bus. Haha! So as we were walking these kids were asking all kinds and yelling out " your from the maccabiah!", "Your famous!", " Are you sponsered?" and we jokingly responded with yes everytime! The kids were all excited and followed us right to the bus. As we were getting on we could hear them going: "cool! thats the maccabiah canada!", "I have to tell my dad".



It was quite funny and a good time!
Heres the video of them saying hello to Canada!



Stay posted!

Ill be writing more when I get up in the morning!

Smiles from Jerusalem!

Netanya Beach.

Hey everyone!

The other day I got the oppertunity to visit the beach in Netanya which is about 20mins outside of Tel Aviv. It was gorgeous and im told that its not even one of the best beaches here in Israel. Ive met tons of new people from both the canadian delegation and many others from around the world including: Australia, Mexico, USA, Great Britain and South Africa. My roomate Chase and I walked all around the beach and had a chance to enjoy the really nice sun!

Crazy Busy

Hi everyone, sorry i have not been updating so much, its very difficult to find a time. everything is very non stop and its actually the first time i have opened my computer in 5 days. tomorrow is the opening ceremonies (july 13) at 8pm israeli time. Please try your best to catch it live on the JLTV website!

All the best! Thanks for all the support!
From Jerusalem

GREG

Morning Surprise!

Hi everyone!

Thanks for all the wake up calls and messages this morning to inform me that I am in the sports section of the Gazette! It was a complete surprise to me and I had not known this was going to be published. Anyways I did a little research and found the article online, so here it is!

"Canadian team is 425-strong at Maccabiah Games"


By PAT HICKEY, The Gazette, July 9, 2009

When the 18th Maccabiah Games begin Sunday in Israel, Canada will be represented by its largest team ever - 425 athletes ranging from 15-year-olds competing in the junior event to Bill Novick, an 80-something Montreal physician who will be competing in the super seniors tennis event.

"We'll have the third-largest team after Israel and the United States and that's quite an accomplishment in these times," said Leon Elfassy, who will serve as the captain of the Canadian team.

"It's a tribute to the athletes who have worked hard to qualify for these Games and to the many volunteers who have helped to raise funds in a very difficult economy," Elfassy said.

"It cost $7,500 for each athlete and if you do the math, you'll see that the total expense is over $4 million."

The Maccabiah Games are often called the Jewish Olympics and they bring together Jewish athletes from around the globe.

The competitions range from junior events for developing athletes to the senior events with highly competitive events in between. For example, the U.S. team includes swimmer Jason Lezak, who passed up a chance to compete in the world swimming championships to compete in the Olympic Games.

Lezak is best known as the man who made it possible for Michael Phelps to win eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. Lezak swam the anchor leg of the 4x100-metre freestyle relay and overhauled world-record holder Alain Bernard of France to win the gold medal.

Elfassy said the team includes several medal hopes from Quebec, which is supplying one-quarter of the athletes on the Canadian team. The group includes triathlete Greg Amiel, promising young swimmer Jason Gallett and veteran wrestler David Zilberman, whose father, Victor, is the team coach.

Elfassy said his greatest satisfaction has been to increase the size of the team and to include more women.

"We're competing in some sports in which we haven't been represented in the past," he said. "We have two - a women's basketball team and a women's softball team."

Elfassy also pushed for the addition of cycling to the Maccabiah lineup and Roy Salomon, a longtime Maccabiah supporter, persuaded Montreal developer and veteran cyclist Sylvan Adams to organize a team.

Concordia University basketball coach John Dore and the Canadian men's team are hoping to be competitive despite the loss of Montrealer Alex Bougaieff, whose wife gave birth recently. Bougaieff, who played at Collège Montmorency and Rice University in Texas, is a seven-footer who plays pro basketball in Italy.

"We could have used his size," Dore said from Toronto, where the team has been training. Dore said he was hoping that Ben Katz, a top player from McMaster University, will be able to play despite a knee injury.

The men's team includes Concordia's Andrew Bier and Taylor Garner; Eric Sternstrom, a McGill Ph.D. student who played at the University of Ottawa; and Jordan Sztern, who plays at Barry University in Florida.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS!

Hi everyone!

First off I would like to point out all the amazing support I have received in the past few days leading up to the games! From the long distance phone calls to at home visits or the emails and text messages! I cant help but to thank you all for the amazing support!

Its OFFICIAL! My journey has begun! Last night (July 8th) was the send off party for all the Canadian athletes in Toronto and my flight is today at 5:30pm from Pearson Airport! The moment has come!

I wanted to remind you all of the important dates that you would want to follow while I am in Israel. In fact if all works as planned the games are supposed to be broadcasted online on a Live Stream.

To be able to watch this stream follow the following steps:
1) Visit: http://www.jewishlifetv.com/home.php
2) Scroll down just under the 5 main news post and click "install viewer"
3) Follow through with the installation.
4) When installation is complete return to: http://www.jewishlifetv.com/home.php
5) Go back to where you clicked "Install Viewer"
6) There should be a live stream of the channel and the daily program of what is to play every hour just beside it to the right.
7)Enjoy!

ALSO: if you have DIRECTV try channel: 366

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

JULY 13th 8:30pm (Israel Time) : OPENING CEREMONIES
JULY 17th 8:00am or 8:30am (Unsure)(Israel Time) : MY RACE: JUNIOR SPRINT TRIATHLON

(I am told that the Time difference is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time)

Thanks for all the support!
I will be posting as soon as I can upon my arrival to Israel.

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT ONCE MORE!

A Tribute to The King of Pop 1958- 2009

As I write this blog post I am watching the Michael Jackson Memorial Live on CNN. I must say he was an amazing performer and an incredible dancer! His loss has effected billions of people all around the world. My father was a huge Michael Jackson fan and I would like to thank him for introducing his music and talents to me. I would like to post this video of his, my favorite Michael Jackson song: Black or White.

I love the beat and the lyrics touch on one of the biggest world problems we currently face and must keep trying to fix.

May you rest in peace.

Thank you Michael Jackson 1958-2009


Michael Jackson - Black Or White (Official Music Video) - Funny video clips are a click away

My New Machine

THE OFFICIAL TRISUIT AND NEW BIKE UNVIELING!

Lately ive had all kinds of crazy organizing to do and getting a Trisuit and Bike together were the major tasks! But Im so happy to say that they are both finished products!

First is my Trisuit! A Louis Garneau that was a present from my parents for my graduation. With the help of Made For Everyone (MFE) I was able to get custom printing with my name and country on both the front and back! It has been a great pleasure working with MFE and they have helped enourmously to prepare for my journey!

Secondly my new baby!

Brand Spankin New: CANNONDALE SLICE HI-MOD 3!

After morning prayers for a goodbye blessing to all Quebec Maccabiah Athletes at the Shaare Zion Synagogue in Cote St Luc, I had the pleasure of going to pick up my brand new bike at ABC CYCLES!

Shes a fully Carbon frame with Shimano Ultegra mechanics and Carbon aerobars!
Unfortunetly there some bad weather out there now so ill be taking her out in the morning! I cant wait!

Here are a couple of pictures of both the New Trisuit and Slice!

CLICK TO ENLARGE THE PICS!

A Blessed Journey

This morning I had the pleasure of attending morning service at the Shaare Zion Synagogue in Cote St Luc for a goodbye blessing for the local athletes. Both the Rabbi and Cantor blessed all who attended on the Bima in front of the whole synagogue! It was a blessing that wished us luck, health, happiness and a wonderful experience in the land of Israel!

Thank you Teddy Miller for organizing this and Thank you Shaare Zion Synagogue!

Thank You ABC CYCLES!

I would like to give an enormous Thank You to everyone at ABC Cycles and Sports LTEE. for taking such good care of me and my new bike! I would specifically like to thank Sean Hogg and Gary Jones for making sure my bike was properly assembled and fit to exactitude! You guys were awesome! Thanks for all the help and all the support!

See you soon!

GREG

If ever anyone needed bike help feel free to check em out! Its a two floor bike shop filled with all kinds of great bikes, clothing and accesseories!
Take my word for it!

ABC Cycles: 514-276-1305
www.abccycles.com
5584 Ave. du Parc
Montreal
H2V 4H1

Let It Begin!

First off let me thank you all for the wonderful support I have been receiving!

The official packing has begun for my journey to Israel. The living room at my moms is now bombarded with all kinds of clothes and equipment! The days are approaching and I can finally say I have a bike!

As many of you know I sold my bike just over a month ago and have been borrowing one of Barrett's bikes for the last little while! But as I am posting this blog, my bike is currently being put together at ABC Cycles and Sports!

For a sneak peak of what she should look like she will be the colors of the Canadian flag!

Check in tommorrow for the first picture of my new baby!

Happy Belated Canada Day!

As a Canadian Athlete participating in the games, I feel a great attachment to my country this year! In fact I don't think I've ever felt so proud to be Canadian in my life. I just wanted to wish you all and Canada a Happy Belated Canada Day!

GO CANADA GO!!!

Here's a few shots from the DDO Canada Day Party!

You've come to the right place!

Hi Neighbours, Friends and Family.

If you happened to have received one of these cards in your Mailbox, you have found the right website! Thanks for joining in and feel free to subscribe!

Thank you for all your support!

GREG

The Centered Athlete

The other day when I was working a monday shift and the Learn to Run Clinic was in, I got the oppertunity to listen in to really interesting talk. The LTR Clinic had the pleasure of special guest speaker Mike Ritlop, founder of The Centered Athlete, a flexibility conditioning program for runners and triathletes. His talk focused on using specific Yoga as a tool in either workshops, group classes or private sessions to help run more efficiently, recover more rapidly and remain healthy throughout the year. It was super interesting and something that I am considering in the future to help with my success in the sport. So heres a little shout out to Mike!
Thanks for a great talk!

Check out his website thats going to be launched in August 2009, www.centeredathlete.com

MACCABIAH GAMES COUNTDOWN 13 DAYS!

A Couple of Days With Team S2!

I just got back from an amazing two days of training! I was fortunate enough to be able to train with Team S2 out of New Hampshire. With a quick drive to Lake Placid, where most of S2 will be competing in this years Ironman, training was underway.
Thursday was a beautiful sunny day that warmed up the water for a 1.2 mile (2km) swim around Mirror Lake and the run course for a 10km run!
Friday was an early wake up at 6:45am for some breakfast and to clean up the bikes and get them ready for a big day. Once again the water was warm for another great 1.2 mile (2km) swim and for some a 2.4 mile (4km). Then it was off to the bagel shop for some nutrition and out on the bike course for a 56 mile (90km) bike for myself and an 80 miler for others! Oh was it ever a challenge! But I did it!
All in all it was a great weekend with quite a challenge but best of all was meeting all kinds of great triathletes that have inspired me to push even hard!

Thanks a ton Team S2!

A Toast to The End of High School

Last Friday, June 19th, was the official final event of my High School life.

PROM!

Multiple cocktail parties were followed by a lovely dinner and dancing at the Sofitel Hotel on Sherbrooke followed by a two day party a with the whole grade up at Mont Tremblant!

Both Jilly and I got to get all dressed up had a great time!

What a party and a half!

Maccabi Canada Hook's Athletes Up!

The games are getting closer and closer and its really getting to crunch time for training. To help all the athletes get ready for the games, Maccabi Canada hooked up every Canadian athlete with their clothing package! I had to pick up tons of gear the other day which included a duffle bag, performance track suit, shirts, Polo's and much more!

Honestly this stuff is crazy!

MACCABIAH GAMES COUNTDOWN: 18 DAYS!!

Watching the Maccabiah Games LIVE!

The Maccabiah Games coverage begins Sunday, July 12 on Jewish Living Television (JLTV) with a historic LIVE broadcast. For the first time, the Games will be televised outside of Israel to 100 million households across America, Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Opening Ceremonies are being held on Monday, July 13th at 8pm Israeli Time (2pm Eastern Standard Time) and coverage of the Maccabiah Games will continue through July 24th. Between the end of July and the end of September, JLTV will continue to run retrospective coverage of the 18th Maccabiah Games.

In order to watch the Opening Ceremonies and live coverage of the games you must download the JLTV Live Steam. Please visit the JLTV website for more information so you can enjoy the Maccabiah games just as much as I will!

http://www.jewishlifetv.com/home.php

For a closer look check out this JLTV Maccabiah preview!



Thanks for all your support!

If you have any questions about it give me a call or email me.
514-290-0203
gregamiel8@yahoo.ca

Official 2009 Graduate!

It's official! I'm done High School!

5 years spent at WIC are now over!

Happy yet sad to leave, I am proud to announce that after spending the last five years at West Island College, I leave with:

West Island College Diploma with Distinction,
Quebec High School Leaving Diploma,
Certificate of Bilingualism,
Class Prize Excellence in Physical Education,
Public Speaking Finalist!

Below is are a few portraits and a photo of my friend Adam Hennick and I at Convocation which took place on June 2nd at Le Pavillion sur Le Lac at Chateau Vaudreuil.

MACCABIAH GAMES COUNTDOWN: 26 Days!!!!!!!

Triathlon Des Iles a success!

Hi everyone,

I know its been a while that I have not uploaded, but I have been extremely busy with school! But its almost over! Graduation is tomorrow night! Woohoo!

On another note, May 23rd was my first race of the season at Parc Jean Drapeau. Lately the training had really stepped up for the past 6 weeks. My goal for the race was to finish in 1h:15min and still be able to walk! The swim was a disaster because of the 61 degree Fahrenheit water but the bike and run went extremely well. I finished under my predicted goal with a final time of 1h:13min:16sec.! That included a terrible swim. So all in all I am extremely happy with my time!

With the games only 40 days away, my training will continue to get better! I have sold my bike and cannot wait to find a new one! I've also gotten my Tri-Suit that MFE and I have worked on!

Thanks for all your support!
Stay Posted!

Here are a couple of Photos from the race, click on them to enlarge!

GMAA Halo Road Race a Success!

Hi everyone,

This past week, on Wednesday April 29th, the Annual Halo Road Race was held by The G.M.A.A. (Greater Montreal Athletic Association)for the High School Level. The 5 Kilometer road race event took place on Mount Royal and began at Beaver Lake and made its way up and around the cross and back down to the lake for the finish.

After a couple of hours of waiting for the Juvenile Boys(1991-1992)race to start, the gun for the last event of the day finally went off! Representing my school, the race went extremely well and with a final sprint push in the finishing alley, I am happy to announce that I placed 13th overall with a time of 20m:33s!

I would also like to congratulate the other runners from the WIC running team, Phil who finished along side just a bit a head in 11th! Jon who finished 15th! And Giuliano who finished 21st! As for the number of participants in the race, the final count is unsure, but its predicted there are somewhere near 65 runners in the Juvenile Boys level.

As well, all of those who raced in the Bantam and Midget levels congratulations to you too! You guys rocked! We really represented the school well!

GO WIC GO!!!

The 18th Opening Ceremonies

With 71 days until the opening of the games, training is well underway and has been going great! But apart from the race, the thing I look forward to the most is the opening ceremony!

Why?... Ill tell you why!

The Opening Ceremonies for the 18th Maccabiah Games is held at Ramat Gan Stadium which will not have a single empty seat. All 41,583 seats will be filled to cheer on every athlete representing their countries! With live Television and Radio Broadcasts all over the world and a professional fireworks and singing show with celebrities, its almost guaranteed to be a spectacular moment! The opening ceremonies will be Israel's Hot Hot Ticket on July 13th! Care to know the price of just one ticket?? 250$! WOW! Its gonna be a great show!


(Above and Below) Images of Ramat Gan Stadium

Only 86 days away!

The games and the warm Israel weather are approaching quicker and quicker these days!
Just under 3 months away the opening ceremonies begin in 86 DAYS!!!

Here's an offcial Maccabi promotional video as to what the games are all about!

MFE Helping to make me faster!

Its official! Made For Everyone (MFE) is in the works of helping me out by making sure I am well equipped for the Games that are approaching quickly! We have worked on creating a Trisuit for my race on the 17th, of July.

"MFE is a performance apparel company who`s products are successful due to the wicking properties, breathability, and comfort of the fabric during prolonged physical exertion. Professional trainers and athletes love the fact that the fabric retains its form and original characteristics for a long time."

MFE has also worked with extremely well known professionals such as, Mixed Martial Arts, UFC fighter and Montrealer George St. Pierre! Who you may have seen wear MFE's shorts in his UFC 94 victory vs. BJ Penn in Las Vegas on January 31st, 2009. They have now been generous enough to help me out aswell!

(Above): GSP wearing MFE Shorts in his UFC 94 Victory vs. BJ Penn

We have worked on a few designs and want to know your opinion! Which one do you like best? Number 1,2 or 3?

Please click the "Comments" button at the bottom of the article to cast your vote!
For more information on Made For Everyone visit their website:
www.madeforeveryone.com

Competitors Beware!

The list of competing countries for the 2009 Maccabiah Triathlon has been released!

The Competing Countries are:

Australia
Canada
Great Britain
Israel
Mexico
South Africa
USA
Venezuela

Greg Signs Up for First Event of the Season!

It is with great pleasure that I announce my first event of the season.

I will be participating in:

Le Triathlon des Iles (Sprint Distance) 750m Swim, 20km Bike, 5km Run

Saturday, May 23rd, 2009
Parc Jean Drapeau
Montreal

For more information on the race check out: http://www.espaces.qc.ca/triathlon/

Stay updated as another event is to shortly be released.

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