Canadians to catch – Day 11
Simon Whitfield
Today at 6:30 a.m. EST, Canada’s flag bearer, Olympic champion and two-time medallist Simon Whitfield toes the line in his fourth Olympic triathlon. After hearing the news of being named flag bearer, The Victoria, BC resident said he draws great inspiration from his fellow “athletes who have dedicated their lives to achieving their Olympic dream and represent our nation on the world’s greatest sporting stage”. Now, it’s his turn to inspire a nation – again.
Alexandre Despatie
It’s show time for Alex Despatie. In his fourth Olympic appearance, Despatie, one of Canada’s most recognizable amateur athletes and leader in the Canadian Olympic movement will step to the individual 3m springboard at 5 a.m. EST in the semifinal. The Laval, QC native will be eyeing the podium round at 2 p.m. EST.
Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon, Elise Marcotte
The synchro duet team of Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon (Rivier-du-Loup, QC) and Elise Marcotte (Ancienne-Lorette, QC) followed up a strong technical routine with a fourth place performance in the first of two free routines Monday night. “We came here to win a medal,” said Boudreau-Gagnon. The pair will look to accomplish their goal today at 10 a.m. at the aquatics centre.
Tara Whitten
It’s Day 2 of the Omnium event at the Velodrome for Edmonton’s Tara Whitten. In her Olympic debut, Whitten positioned herself in fourth place Monday in the two-day event and will look to polish it off with a podium finish starting at 11:07 a.m. EST. Whitten already has a medal from these Games as a member of the bronze-medal winning pursuit team.
Jessica Zelinka, Nikkita Holder, Phylicia George
After pushing through their heats Monday, all three Canadian women in the 100m hurdles will get in the semifinal blocks this morning. London, ON’s Jessica Zelinka, Nikkita Holder of Pickering, ON and teammate Phylicia George (Markham, ON) will all be looking to improve on their heat times and advance to the evening final beginning at 2:15 p.m. EST.
