Top Canadians competing at the TO2015 Pan Am Games

With TO2015 officially starting on July 10th, here’s a quick primer on some Canadians to follow.

Mark Oldershaw – Canoe Sprint

A London 2012 bronze medallist in the C-1 1000m, Oldershaw has been winning medals at ICF Sprint World Cups this year. And he is Canada’s flag bearer which as Olympic.ca’s Asif Hossain points out, is a really good sign.

Mark Oldershaw waves the flag prior to Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill on July 1, 2015 (Greg Kolz for Canadian Olympic Team).

Mark Oldershaw waves the flag prior to Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill on July 1, 2015 (Greg Kolz for Canadian Olympic Team).

Brianne Theisen-Eaton – Athletics

The 26-year-old heptathlete won Gotzis’ prestigious Hypo-Meeting in late May for the second time, with a Canadian record. The worlds medallist has opted to do only long jump and the 4x400m relay in Toronto, saving energy for another full heptathlon at 2015 IAAF worlds.

Britain Commonwealth Games

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Mark de Jonge – Kayak Sprint

Same name as the flag bearer. Also a London 2012 bronze medallist. Different boat. Mark de Jonge blasts the K-1 200m and has also been clutch in 2015 on the world cup tour.

Mark de Jonge at the ICF Sprint World Cup in Duisburg, Germany on May 24, 2015 (Photo: Balint Vekassy).

Mark de Jonge at the ICF Sprint World Cup in Duisburg, Germany on May 24, 2015 (Photo: Balint Vekassy).

Adam van Koeverden – Kayak Sprint

Can’t leave out AVK. The 33-year-old and four-time Olympic medallist is entered in the K-1 1000m.

Adam van Koeverden

The ‘FAB IV’ – Women’s Diving

Currently one of Canada’s most world-class group of athletes, these four divers are coming off the top FINA World Series where they won almost 30 medals. Roseline Filion, Meaghan Benfeito, and Jennifer Abel are each Olympic medallists. Pamela Ware is a worlds medallist.

Andre De Grasse – Athletics

The 20-year-old is earning comparisons to Canadian sprint legends Donovan Bailey and Bruny Surin. He won the 100m & 200m at the NCAA Track and Field Championships and added a 9.95 seconds performance at nationals this past weekend.

Andre De Grasse wins the NCAA 200m title in a wind-aided 19.58 seconds in Eugene, Oregon on June 12, 2015 (Photo: AP/Don Ryan).

Andre De Grasse wins the NCAA 200m title in a wind-aided 19.58 seconds in Eugene, Oregon on June 12, 2015 (Photo: AP/Don Ryan).

List of TO2015 venues

Women’s rugby

Their remarkable consistency on the women’s sevens series earned them an Olympic berth for Rio 2016. A very strong squad will show up in Toronto.

Captain Jen Kish (Photo: Ian Muir / Rugby Canada)

Captain Jen Kish (Photo: Ian Muir / Rugby Canada)

Damian Warner – Athletics

Another worlds medallist, Warner will be doing an entire decathlon, excited for a chance to perform in front of family and a Canadian crowd. The 25-year-old will also head on to world champs after TO2015 (watch video).

Russia Athletics Worlds

Rosie MacLennan – Trampoline

The reigning Olympic and Pan Am champion has been notoriously focused on Toronto. She’s part of a decorated Canadian team including Olympic medallists Karen Cockburn and Jason Burnett.

Rosie MacLennan

Ryan Cochrane – Swimming

This will actually be Cochrane’s first Pan Am Games despite almost ten years of international success. The 26-year-old from Victoria has medals from every other major swim meet including a bronze and silver medal from the Olympic Games.

Ryan Cochrane following 400m freestyle victory & national record at Glasgow 2014 Pan Am Games.

Ryan Cochrane following 400m freestyle victory & national record at Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Full TO2015 athlete list

Women’s Team Pursuit – Track Cycling

The women’s track cycling program regularly threatens for international medals, collecting a worlds bronze this year. Allison Beveridge, Jasmin Glaesser, Kirsti Lay, and Laura Brown will be Canada’s team pursuit entrants at the Milton Velodrome.

Jasmin Glaesser (Olympian, cycling) leads women's team pursuit demonstration at the Milton Velodrome on June 1, 2015.

Jasmin Glaesser (Olympian, cycling) leads women’s team pursuit demonstration at the Milton Velodrome on June 1, 2015.

Derek Drouin – High Jump

A bronze medal at the London Olympics was only the beginning for the 25-year-old, the next season he added bronze at worlds and then won Commonwealth Games gold in 2014. His PB of 2.40m is also one of the best all-time.

Derek Drouin

Catharine Pendrel – Mountain Biking

The reigning world champion, Pendrel also won Commonwealth Games gold in 2014. She has had World Cup success this season to carry her into Pan Am racing at Hardwood Mountain Bike Park.

Catharine Pendrel - 2014 Commonwealth Games

Rowers

This is a sport where Canadians have gained worldwide respect. There is a healthy roster of boats (including four Olympians) that could pull off medals, but look for the women’s and men’s quadruple sculls, plus the men’s four or eight. Full team list here.

Canadian rowing oar (Katie Steenman Images, Courtesy of Rowing Canada Aviron).

Canadian rowing oar (Katie Steenman Images, Courtesy of Rowing Canada Aviron).

Tory Nyhaug – BMX

Returning from an injury the 23-year-old Olympian is finding his way back to form. The 2014 worlds silver medallist recently won his ninth national title.