June 22/02 1:51 am - National Team Veteran Doug Baron Announces His Retirement

Posted by Editoress on 06/22/02
 

National Team Veteran Doug Baron retires
Courtesy CCA

Doug Baron of Calgary, a member of Canada's National Track Cycling Team since 1993, has made the difficult decision to retire from the National Team Program.

Over the years, Doug's success, both on and off the track, has been evident in everything he sets his mind to. His commitment to the National Team has always been unquestionable. His dedication to his job as a physical therapist, and to his wife and daughter Cassandra, remain his top priority.

Doug has been one of Canada's best sprinters on the track, demonstrated by his numerous National Sprint Champion titles. Over the past 9 years with the National Team, Doug has participated in many National Team projects, with outstanding results. Among the many international events Doug has participated in are the 1999 Winnipeg Pan American Games and the 1998 Malaysia Commonwealth Games

In his own words, here are Doug's feelings regarding his retirement: It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from the National Track Cycling Team program.The past 9 years have been very rewarding for me. I have met many different people around the worldand made lifelong friendships. Although I am not able to train anymore at the intensity required forinternational competition, I will continue to race at the local level (maybe even nationals occasionally).As well, the possibility of coaching looms on the horizon. I wish to thank all the supporters that I have had over the years. My wife Lynn and the rest of my familyhave been very supportive of my endeavours. I want to recognise my personal sponsors as well.Oakley (eyewear/clothing), Paris Sport (Continental Tires) and Shimano (pedals and shoes) deserve to be mentioned here for providing awesome products over the years. Also, the national team sponsors provide us with bikes (Look/Devinci), wheels (Mavic), clothing (Louis Garneau) and financial suppor t(Tim Hortons). My current status with Sport Canada allows me to continue to receive financial support. I plan to support 2 young athletes who represent the future of the CCA in international competitions in thecoming years. In this way I hope to re-invest in a sport that I would love to see grow even bigger inCanada. I wish all the best to the entire team selected to the Commonwealth Games in July.
Cheers, Doug Baron
Canadian National Track Cycling Team

The CCA wishes Doug and his family all the best, and we look forward to our continuing relationship with him in the future.

Some of Doug's Results:

2001:
National Champion, Olympic Sprint
Gold - Pan Am Championships, Olympic Sprint
Silver - National Championships, Match Sprint & Keirin
4th - Pan Am Championships, Match Sprint
2000: National Champion, Sprint & Olympic Sprint
Bronze - National Championships, Kilo
Bronze - Pan Am Championships, Kilo & Keirin

1999:
14th World Olympic Sprint Championships
Pan Am Games 3rd Kilo; 4th Olympic Sprint; 7th Sprint
1st - Kilo, EDS Track Cup round 3
1999 Arvid Geldsetzer Memorial Track Meet: 1st - Match Sprint; 1st - Olympic Sprint; 1st - Kilo
1999 Bikeshevik Grand Prix: 1st - Match Sprint; 1st - Kilo
3rd - 500m TT and Match Sprint - Barbados Invitational