Canada sending 307-member team to World University Games

Canada will be sending a 307-member team to the 25th Summer Universiade, which begins Wednesday in Belgrade, Serbia.

The Canadian delegation of 212 athletes, along with 95 coaches, medical and administration staff, is one of the largest contingents attending the biennial World University Games. Canada is also sending 12 referees and judges to the competition, which ends July 12.

Canada won 16 medals at the 2007 Games in Bangkok. Swimmers led the list with four gold, two silver and four bronze. Canada also won gold in women’s softball, silver in men’s volleyball, a pair of bronze medals in judo, bronze in men’s basketball and one bronze in athletics.

Swimmers will again make up the bulk of this year’s team with 42 student-athletes competing in the pool. Canada will send men’s and women’s teams for soccer, water polo (which is making its Game’s debut), basketball and volleyball.

Canadians will also compete in athletics, diving, taekwondo, archery, tennis, fencing, table tennis, judo and rhythmic gymnastics.

The soccer teams will begin play June 30. The women will play host Serbia while the men battle the Czech Republic.

- The Canadian Press