Short Track Speed Skating

RICHMOND, B.C. - Canada's short-track speedskating team might be favoured to claim a handful of medals at the Vancouver Olympics but it's leaving nothing to chance.

On Sunday, members of the squad, including medal favourites Charles Hamelin and Kalyna Roberge, marched outside the Speed Skating Canada House in Richmond, B.C., and entrusted their Olympic dreams to a towering Inukshuk planted nearby.

"The giant Inukshuk ... made the trip here with us and will be keeping an eye on our teams as they compete during the Olympics," said Jean Dupre, director general of Speed Skating Canada.

"Each and every one of our athletes competing here in Vancouver has put down their Olympic dreams on a piece of paper and we will ... entrust those dreams to the Inukshuk, who will be the guardian of them for the duration of the Games."

Yves Hamelin, the team's leader, climbed a ladder and lowered a metal canister containing the pieces of paper into the top of the stone structure.

But what exactly was written on those sheets, and what expectations the skaters have of themselves, remained a secret for some.

"Just me and my coach know what is my goal," Roberge said with a smile.

The expectations from the Canadian public are much more clear.

The 10-member short-track team solidified its standing among the international contingent during two World Cup competitions this season. In one event, they won seven medals while at the other they claimed six.

"We know that six podiums is achievable," said Yves Hamelin, who is also father of team members Charles and Francois.

"We've done that many times in the past three years. This year, particularly, with the same athletes, same format, we've made that level of result."

Hamelin said he expects to see both Roberge and Charles star at this month's Games.

"Kalyna Roberge for sure will play a big role as a leader and racing the three distances and Kalyna is really ready at the moment," he said.

Roberge competes in the 500-metre, 1,000-metre, and 1,500-metre events, as well as the relay. She won a silver medal in the relay at the 2006 Games and finished fourth in the 500.

Charles Hamelin, considered one of Canada's top medal contenders at the Vancouver Games, said he feels no added pressure competing on home soil.

In fact, he pointed to a World Cup competition last fall in Montreal when he took three individual medals, including two golds, and one with the relay team.

"It's really exciting (to be in Vancouver)," he said. "I've been here a couple of times the last two years, but this time I really feel like everyone is behind us.

"I know that I can do good when I'm in front of my crowd. (It gives) me some more energy."

Hamelin is ranked second in the world. Roberge is ranked fifth.

The last time short-track Olympic events were held on Canadian soil, the country's speedskaters left their mark.

Short-track was only an exciting demonstration sport at the Calgary 1988 Games but the Canucks managed to claim 10 medals.

Dupre said he fully expects Canadians to own the podium again in 2010.

"Best of luck, and I hope that you will kick ass the next couple of weeks," he told the team Sunday.