National speed-skating executives and team members flew into Calgary Monday night to prepare for a "major announcement" in the sport, amid speculation that concussion has brought an end to the brilliant career of speed skater Kristina Groves.
The 34-year-old Ottawa-born skater missed all of last season after a crash and concussion in a World Cup race in November of 2010. Groves, who has trained 16 years at the Olympic Oval in Calgary, says she will make her plans known Wednesday. In a blog a week ago she wrote about finally feeling better and mountain biking and being able to hold a conversation for more than 10 minutes – but not a word about dryland training for the coming skating season.
She has won three Olympic silver medals and a bronze as well as 18 world championship medals during her career.
Her coach Xiuli Wang, Speed Skating Canada chief operating officer John-Paul Cody-Cox and members of the national team are scheduled to attend the Groves announcement.