Kateri Vrakking doesn't make qualifier against Quebec archer

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In a stunning turn of events, local school teacher Kateri Vrakking has been denied the Olympic berth she earned a month ago.

Vrakking, a world class archer, surrendered Canada's lone women's spot last weekend in a re-qualification event in Peterborough to Quebec counterpart Marie-Pier Beaudet, 22.

The event was a re-take to determine who would represent the country at the Games when Beaudet put forth an appeal with the Federation of Canadian Archers (FCA) and subsequently the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre Canada (SDRCC).

Vrakking, 35, managed to grab the lead on the first day of the 70m, 72-arrow shootout, which also included Caledon's Rachael Savage, but Beaudet recovered the second day to win the makeshift qualifier (78.0 to 68.5) and the coveted berth.

But the Grade 7 St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School teacher had the nomination already in the bag when the Netherlands gave up its Olympic spots after the World Cup in France in June.

The unexpected withdrawal by the Netherlands essentially created an opening for the women's side since it was next in line to qualify.

The Federation of Canadian Archers, the organizing body for the sport in Canada, determined that based on Vrakking's showing at a national Brampton event - which, in principle, became the Olympic qualifier for the Canadian women's team - she would be the one dispatched to the Games.

Beaudet, who competed in the 2004 Olympics, questioned the FCA selection. She argued the Brampton event wasn't classified an official Olympic qualifier at the time hence she didn't shoot to her potential.

The FCA turned down her request for reconsideration.

Beaudet then proceeded to the (SDRCC) on July 2.

The SDRCC held a last-minute tribunal and, to the outrage of the Etobian and her coach, sided with Beaudet, overturning the FCA's decision.

The SDRCC found Beaudet's grievance had some merit and it ordered an Olympic re-qualifier.

Via e-mail correspondence, head coach Maciej Karlowski, who also heads Etobicoke-based Toronto School of Archery, said the "unethical behavior" marks a new low for the sport in Canada.

Support for Vrakking from the FCA, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Sports Canada, he said, has been "extremely weak". He also disputed Beaudet's contention she was unaware of the possibility that the winner of the Brampton event could be Beijing-bound.

"I keep asking myself how is it possible to nullify a legal and binding Olympic team selection by telling lies?" he said. "The damage is done... I've been with Kateri through all this, and I know how much she is suffering."

He also asks why a new Olympic trials event was ordered if no rules were broken.

"It is clear the only reason for Mr. Brunet's ruling was allowing Marie Pier, a former Olympian and experienced archer and her coach, to use ignorance as the reason for the unjust and groundless ruling... This is not the way to support justice in high-level sport.

"Kateri is the one who should be representing Canada at the Olympic Games in Beijing."

Vrakking was a bit more subdued, though clearly disillusioned by the ruling and its ensuing result.

"I think anytime something is taken from someone in a dishonest and underhanded manner, most people can see it for what it is, and the people of Canada see this for what it is."

"It is very hard for me to believe in a system that would put athletes in turmoil so soon before an Olympic games," she added.

Scarborough archer Crispin Duenas, who is one of the country's top prospects and part of the three-member men's team heading to the Games shortly, sympathized with Vrakking.

"I think it was poor sportsmanship on Marie-Pier's part to argue that Kateri got an Olympic spot," he said.