Canadian Haldane switches allegiances to GB

 

CANADA-born Jason Haldane insists his Olympic dream is still alive, having switch allegiances to Great Britain in the hope of competing at London 2012.

The 37-year-old represented Canada for 12 years between 1992 and 2004, but missed out on Olympic selection.

Haldane has not played international volleyball for five years, but has obtained a British passport through his English-born father and is set win his first GB cap on May 31 against Australia.  

"After 2004 I came to the conclusion that I was not going to go to the Olympics, there were no more opportunities, I accepted it and moved on," he said.

"It's a dream for any athlete at a high level...it's so unreal, I don't think it's a reality yet...it's taking a while to sink in.

"I am fortunate that I've stayed healthy and been able to play this long. I don't feel old."

Great Britain did not have a men's or women's volleyball team at the Beijing Olympics and while they do have home advantage, there are no guarantees they will compete in London after UK Sport funding cuts in January.

But Great Britain performance director Kenny Barton believes his side's hopes of reaching London 2012 have received a huge boost.

"His performance statistics are still virtually second to none," he said.

"I know Jason's dream is to play in the Olympics. It is one of the few things missing from a glittering CV."

GB fixtures:

30/31 May - English Institute of Sport, Sheffield: GB women v Turkey; GB men v Australia (International Challenge Series)

13/14 June - Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh: GB women v Romania; GB men v Croatia

27/28 June - Sportspark, University of East Anglia, Norwich: GB women v France; GB men v Turkey

11/12 July - Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, Sheffield: GB men v Spain