The thundering clash of helmets, the screech of whistles, the screams of encouragement and footballs spiralling through the air are common sights and sounds on the worn brownish-green football field of Immaculata High School.
Six years ago, Ray Zahab smoked a pack of cigarettes a day and drank heavily. Now this fall, Zahab, as part of a three-man team, will attempt to cross Africa by running 6,000 km across the Sahara Desert.
Just months after closing the 2006 Ontario Summer Games, Ottawa is confident that its recent success will be more than enough to win the right to host again in 2008.