Canadians Celebrate Second Diving Medal
The day before they won a bronze medal in 10m synchronized diving, best friends Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion were at Canada Olympic House to cheer on teammates and bronze medal winners Jennifer Abel and Emilie Heymans.
“For the first medal to be in a diving event is absolutely amazing,” said Benfeito on Day 3. “Jennifer and Emilie are our best friends, we are so proud of them and it’s really special to be able to celebrate with them here at Canada Olympic House,”
Three days later, on Day 6, it was Benfeito and Filion’s turn in the spotlight as the Canadian Olympic Committee honoured them for kicking off Canada’s Day 4 bronze medal streak.
Meaghan Benfeito’s parents Arthur Benfeito and Margarida Correia and Roseline Filion’s parents Helene and Marc Filion sat together during the ceremony, glowing with pride and at times fighting back tears.
“Rosaline and Megan are always together. They train six days a week and on the seventh day, they still see or speak to each other. They’re like sisters,” said Marc Filion.
“It’s a once in a lifetime thing to be at the Olympics and see your daughter win a medal. We’re so happy to be here to celebrate with her. I feel really proud,” said Arthur Benfeito.
Diving coach Aaron Dziver spoke about how Benfeito and Filion have inspired him. “It’s been a privilege to work with them – their good humour and work ethic makes them a pleasure to be around,” he said.
Addressing the entire room, Benfeito said: “It’s such an honour to be here. We just won a bronze medal for Canada but we didn’t do it alone. This medal belongs just as much to you as it belongs to us.”
