Canadians Celebrate Double Silver Medal Win in Rowing
Canada Olympic House was jam-packed with overjoyed Canadians on Friday night as we celebrated Canada’s silver medals in both men’s and women’s eight rowing.
On Day 5, the men’s eight team (Conlin McCabe, Malcolm Howard, Andrew Byrnes, Jeremiah Brown, Gabe Bergen, Robert Gibson, Will Crothers, Douglas Csima, and coxswain Brian Price)gave their everything to overtake Great Britain and finish in second place.
“The night we won, we came back to Canada Olympic House and received a standing ovation. When we got home, Conlin McCabe, who’s just 21 years old, was still shaking. He couldn’t believe that had happened – the silver medal and the standing ovation,” said men’s eight captain Malcolm Howard.
The next day, Prince Harry was at Canada Olympic House to congratulate members of the crew. Together, they watched the women’s eight crew (Ashley Brzozowicz, Janine Hanson, Krista Guloien, Darcy Marquardt, Natalie Mastracci, Andreanne Morin, Lauren Wilkinson, Rachelle Viinberg, and coxswain Lesley Thompson-Willie)follow in their male counterpart’s footsteps, winning Canada’s second silver medal of the Games.
Women’s eight crew member Darcy Marquardt spoke about the reaction to their silver medal win.
“Emails have been flooding in. It’s really amazing how much support and love we feel from home. It’s overwhelming but it feels great,” she said.
Men’s eight crew member Jeremiah Brown’s family was at Canada Olympic House the day he won a silver medal.
“He did it in three and a half years. He had never rowed before 2009. We’re absolutely thrilled and so proud. It’s quite an emotional experience,” said Brown’s mother Bettina.
Describing the atmosphere at Canada Olympic House, Brown’s sister Julia said: “Everyone’s so nice. Everyone wants to hear your story. It makes you feel really connected to the rest of your family and friends back in Canada.”
French Canadian singer Marie Mai performed at the medal celebration. Midway through her last song, the medallists got up and started dancing, kicking off the party in true Maple Leaf spirit.
Brian Price, the Men’s Eight coxswain, said: “The best thing about winning medals is getting to share them. When we were in that moment, crossing the finish line, it was only us. Now it’s time to share our medal with all of Canada.”
