Fallen soldier, former Olympian Graham remembered as great athlete

HAMILTON (CP) - A soldier killed when American troops accidentally strafed Canadian troops in Afghanistan is being remembered as a great athlete.

Hundreds of mourners, many in uniform, filed into the West Highland Baptist Church in Hamilton today under grey skies for the funeral of Pte. Mark Graham. The former Olympian died on Labour Day, one day after four soldiers were killed during a fierce battle with Taliban insurgents.

A high school classmate of Graham's says the track star was well-liked and respected.

John, who declined to give his last name, says the death has had a great impact on the community.

A funeral for Pte. William Cushley, one of the four killed on Sept. 3, was also held earlier today in Port Lambton, Ont., near Sarnia.

Graham competed for Canada on the 4x400-metre relay team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Last Friday, more than 2,000 people packed into the drill hall at CFB Petawawa for a memorial for the five soldiers.

Canada has about 2,200 troops in Afghanistan, most of them based in Kandahar.

Thirty-two Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.