Joëlle Numainville’s Olympic selection appeal dismissed

On June 29, Shortly after Cycling Canada announced the riders who’d represent the country at the Rio Games in August, Joëlle Numainville went public with her disappointment. The road cyclist from Laval wasn’t include in the selection. She also said she’d appeal the decision by the governing body of the sport in Canada. On Tuesday, Numainville’s disappointment seemed to grow. The arbitrator appointed by Cycling Canada dismissed her appeal.

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“I am extremely disappointed with the decision rendered by Cycling Canada’s arbitrator,” Numainville said in a release. It’s heartbreaking. It’s so hard to have to forget about your dream of going to the Olympics. Still today, I am convinced that I could have helped the team win medals in Rio.

“Cycling Canada’s Olympic selection policy is heavily focused on selective criteria. Unfortunately, those criteria played against me. My team and I have decided not to pursue the appeal with the SDRCC [Sport Dispute Resolution Centre Of Canada]. I will take the next couple of weeks to clear my mind and turn the page on this sad chapter of my career.

“I love riding my bike and I intend to continue to train hard and compete with my professional team Bigla-Cervélo. I wish the best of luck to the Canadian team that will be in Rio.”

Recently, Numainville won all three stages of Tour of Delta, the openingevent of BC Superweek. She finished first in the MK Delta Lands Criterium, the Brenco Criterium and the White Spot Delta Road Race.

Cycling Canada said it would not comment on the arbitrator’s decision. The details of appeals such as Numainville’s are confidential. Only cases that involve SDRCC are made public.