In one of the toughest competitions for a spot on the Olympic team, Theresa Luke earned the berth to race with Emma Robinson in women's pairs. Luke and Robinson joined forces last year and won the world title. However that didn't guarantee her the seat for 2000 with an abundance of talent vying for the spot. A five-month process to determine Robinson's partner finally ended in May.

 "It's nice to be rowing with Emma again," said Luke, who ambitions to be a school teacher once she hangs up her oars. "We're looking forward to build on what we've achieved so far. I don't know why we did so well so fast last year but we had rowed together before in other races so there was plenty hope."

 Unbelievably Luke only began rowing at age 24 while she was studying at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. Her immediate talents were recognized by the club's coach Dick McClure- an Olympic silver medallist in rowing in 1956- and he directed her towards the national team program.

 "I decided to try rowing because I saw this men's eights crew on TV pulling water skiers," Luke said. "I just thought it would be pretty neat to do something like that."

 One of her biggest inspiration is her sister who underwent successful surgery in 1997 for a form of cancer in her spine. It was the same cancer that claimed Terry Fox.

 "The way she approached it all was very inspiring," said Luke. "She had a very simple philosophy to just enjoy what you're doing and do it now because you never know. It honed the things that are important to me and sharpened my focus. Now I know why I do all this."

2000 Games
Sept. 24: Women's eight: Heather McDermid, Calgary; Heather Davis, Vancouver; Dorota Urbaniak, Toronto; Theresa Luke, 100 Mile House, B.C.; Emma Robinson, Winnipeg; Alison Korn, Nepean, Ont.; Laryssa Biesenthal, Walkerton, Ont.; Buffy Alexander, St. Catharines, and Lesley Thompson, London, Ont., won bronze in women's eights finals.
Sept. 23: Women's pairs: Emma Robinson, Winnipeg, and Theresa Luke, 100 Mile House, B.C., finished fourth in final.
Sept. 20: Women's eight: Heather McDermid, Calgary; Heather Davis, Vancouver; Dorota Urbaniak, Toronto; Theresa Luke, 100 Mile House, B.C.; Emma Robinson, Winnipeg; Alison Korn, Nepean, Ont.; Laryssa Biesenthal, Walkerton, Ont.; Buffy Alexander, St. Catharines, and Lesley Thompson, London, Ont., placed second in repechage heat, advanced to final.
Sept. 19: Women's pairs: Emma Robinson, Winnipeg, and Theresa Luke, 100 Mile House, B.C., were second in repechage heat, advanced to semifinals.
Sept. 18: Women's double sculls: Emma Robinson, Winnipeg, and Theresa Luke, 100 Mile House, B.C., placed third in heat, dropped to repechage.
Sept. 18: Women's eight: Heather McDermid, Calgary; Heather Davis, Vancouver; Dorota Urbaniak, Toronto; Theresa Luke, 100 Mile House, B.C.; Emma Robinson, Winnipeg; Alison Korn, Nepean, Ont.; Laryssa Biesenthal, Walkerton, Ont.; Buffy Alexander, St. Catharines, and Lesley Thompson, London, Ont., were second in heat, dropped to repechage.

Photos
Canadian rowers show off their bronze medals
Canadian rowers wave from the podium
Dorota Urbaniak is embraced by Heather McDermid
Dorota Urbaniak, Theresa Luke and Emma Robinson
Dorota Urbaniak is kissed by fiancee Rob Makurat
Emma Robinson & Theresa Luke finish fourth
Emma Robinson and Theresa Luke on Sep. 19
Emma Robinson and Theresa Luke
Robinson & Luke train

2000 Games Rowing Coverage