ALBERTANS AT YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES (Jan. 12)

Good luck to Danielle Vrielink, Stuart Harden, and Aidan Millar, who will represent Canada at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria. Following is the Biathlon Canada medial release:

Biathlon Canada announced it will send two women and two men to the international sport and cultural festival. Sarah Beaudry, of Prince George,B.C., and Calgary’s Danielle Vrielink will represent the women’s team. Calgary’s Stuart Harden and Aidan Millar, of Canmore, Alta., will suit up in the men’s competitions.

“This is an experienced group of young athletes that have made significant progress in our sport,” said Joanne Thomson, executive director, Biathlon Canada. “Competing in the Youth Olympic Games will provide them with another opportunity for international competition to test their skills against the world’s best in their age group, while gaining more confidence while developing into elite athletes.”

The 17-year-old Beaudry and 16-year-old Vrielink represent the oldest and youngest of the four-member Canadian squad. Both athletes represented Canada at the Youth/Junior World Championships last year, and Beaudry also has 2 Canada Winter Games medals to her credit.

Stuart Harden, 17, will be counted on to lead the charge for the podium. The talented biathlete racked up three medals at the Canada Winter Games in 2011 following a stint at the Youth/Junior World Championships. Aidan Millar, 16, had two podium finishes at the Canadian Championships last year.

There will be three biathlon competitions at the Games including: sprint, pursuit, and mixed team relay.

Specific Games information can be found at: http://www.innsbruck2012.com/en