March 4, 2004 – Dear BMX athlete, as part of the integration of BMX into the Canadian Cycling Association's High Performance Program, in 2004 the CCA has planned several initiatives tohelp our athletes along the road to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, which will include BMX for the first time.

Because 2008 Olympic selection will be based on a yet-to-be-established UCIpoints ranking system, it is important that we give up-and-coming BMX athletes assistance in attending key international events to help them acquire high-level competition experience. With that in mind, the CCA will fund four junior athletes for the World Championships in Valkenswaard, NED,in July. The 2003 World Champion, Samantha Cools, has been pre-selected. The three other athletes, one woman and two men, will be identified based on theresults of the Canada Cup events in Ridge Meadows in June. All interested athletes also have the option of traveling to the Worlds at their own cost,as long as they apply in writing to the CCA by May 1st.

In order for our athletes to get the best preparation possible in the fouryears leading to the Olympics, CCA coaches need to become familiar with the particular demands of BMX, and the athletes must have all the tools they need to train effectively. To that end, the CCA will hold two camps, one inAirdrie after the Canada Cup in July, and a second camp in Bromont inAugust, immediately after the nationals. All World Championship athletes are strongly encouraged to attend the Airdrie camp, and all interested athletesare strongly encouraged to attend the Bromont camp. Athletes will learn training techniques and sport testing procedures, and they will the opportunity to work on their skills with some established coaches from BMXand other disciplines.

Please note that the CCA will supply a professional staff for the World Championships, but depending on the number of athletes attending support mayhave to be prioritized towards selected athletes and championship events. Athletes' parents may also attend the worlds, as in previous years, butplease note they will be responsible for their own expenses and they will not have access to restricted areas of the race site, as per UCI rules.

Kris Westwood, Coach of National Team Development Programs