Fred Winters of Victoria has fulfilled a lifetime ambition by being named to captain Canada in volleyball at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.
“There’s a lot of joy and happiness, and I’m thinking especially of my family, friends and former coaches,” said Winters, by phone from Gatineau, Quebec, where the Olympic team was named in a ceremony Friday.
But it wasn’t easy getting to Rio personally. The veteran Islander and 33-year-old Canadian leader was a shocking healthy scratch from the national team lineup that got Canada through to Rio earlier this year at the last-chance Olympic qualifier in Tokyo.
Canada is going to the Olympics in men’s volleyball for the first time since 1992 in Barcelona. It hurt not to be at the qualifier, especially after all he has put into the national team program over the years.
“A decision was made to keep me home, and of course, I was concerned,” said Winters.
“I was happy and relieved we qualified, but disappointed not to be there because it was a magical moment missed for me.”
That made Winters even more determined to prove to national team coach Glenn Hoag that he belonged back on the roster for Rio. The Island product went into the remaining World League tournaments with a steely sense of commitment. Winters didn’t have much time but he used it well and impressed upon the selectors they needed his experience at the Olympics.
“I had to keep up with guys eight years younger, but I worked really hard,” said Winters.
Basically, Winters willed his way to becoming an Olympian. Hoag and his staff could not ignore the Islander’s tenacity and named him to the team for Rio. That cost a younger player from the successful qualifier a spot, but coaches believed Winters will be of more value. He earned his way to Rio, even if it was through a torturous route. You just know what you’re getting with Winters. He is more than just a depth player. He is the captain, the soul of the team for so many years, who leads more by example than hollering.
“They know they can bring me in off the bench, and they are going to need the bench in Rio,” said Winters.
The selection means Claremont Secondary has produced two Olympic volleyball players for Rio 2016, with beach volleyball player Jamie Broder announced this week.
Winters began playing the sport at age 15 with the Victoria Volleyball Association before starring at Royal Oak Middle School, Claremont and then Pepperdine of the NCAA. He has played pro in Germany and China.
“The Olympics are a nice way to cap off my career,” he said.
The 2016 Olympic opening ceremonies are Aug. 5 at Maracana Stadium.
