Canadian Canoe/Kayak team nominated for Rio 2016

Type: Press Release

Topic: Rio 2016

Year: 2016

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MONTRÉAL — On Monday, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canoe Kayak Canada named the nine athletes nominated to represent Team Canada in canoe/kayak at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games from August 5 to 21.

There are two Olympic disciplines in canoe/kayak. Sprint racing features head-to-head racing in a true test of speed and endurance. In canoe slalom, athletes plummet down a whitewater course and battle enormous currents while navigating through a series of gates in an effort to clock the fastest time.

Download hi-res team photos

The sprint team selections include the return of three medallists from the London 2012 Olympic Games: four-time Olympic medallist Adam van Koeverden; two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Mark de Jonge; and Olympic bronze medallist Mark Oldershaw. The women’s kayak team is led by veteran Émilie Fournel. She will be joined by her training partner Andréanne Langlois and the K-2 duo of Kathleen Fraser and Genevieve Orton who earned their spots on the team on Friday after winning a race-off in Montreal.

Michael Tayler is set to compete at his second Olympic Games in men’s K-1 slalom; and Cameron Smedley, who has made one top-ten World Cup final this year, will compete in men’s C-1.

The canoe slalom competition will take place at the Whitewater Stadium, August 7 to 11. Sprint events will take place at Lagoa Stadium from August 15 to 20.

At Rio 2016, Canada expects to field a team of more than 315 athletes.

Canoe Kayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada. Canoe Kayak Canada has been one of Canada’s top performing summer sports, having won an impressive count of 24 Olympic medals. Canoe Kayak Canada is a member-based organization which includes an intricate network of clubs as well as provincial, territorial and divisional paddling associations. Elite National Team athletes proudly represent Canada at various competitions around the globe – most notably the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, ICF World Cups as well as Junior, Under 23 and Senior World Championships. Follow Canoe Kayak Canada on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

QUOTES

“We’ve been training to the extreme and fine-tuning every detail to be at the top of our game. Our team is set and with Canada behind us, we’re getting ready to explode out of those starting gates.”

Mark de Jonge, Rio 2016 athlete

“Our nominated canoe/kayak athletes have proven their skill on the international level countless times and I know they have what it takes to do the same in Rio. I look forward to seeing you on the ground in Brazil.”

Curt Harnett, Rio 2016 Team Canada Chef de Mission

“Canada has a rich history of success in canoe/kayak and I know these athletes will proudly uphold the tradition. We have such a strong team of young hopefuls and experienced veterans and we are all excited to cheer them on in Rio.”

Peter Giles, Canoe Kayak Canada President

“Our paddlers led our team on the water at the last Olympic Games in London, and I expect them to provide the same energy to Team Canada a month from now in Rio. On behalf of all Canadians, I wish our athletes the very best of luck as they proudly represent the maple leaf in Rio.”

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

The canoe/kayak team which will represent Canada at Rio 2016 includes:

Athletes:

Coaches: 

Prior to being named to the final Canadian Rio 2016 Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations.