Canadian Olympic Foundation
Nanjing closes Youth Olympic Games, Canada wins eight medals
The 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games finish up on Thursday night, with Closing Ceremony held at Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre.
16 year-old diver Philippe Gagné was chosen as Canada’s flag bearer based on his performances, bronze in 3m springboard and silver on 10m platform. The Montrealer was excited about the honour, “I came here expecting one medal and for me to get two and be chosen as the flag bearer just feels amazing, like a dream come true I couldn’t be happier right now,” said Gagné a few hours after being told.
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Reflecting further on his diving, Gagné calls his bronze on 3m springboard his proudest moment so far, “For me to get a medal on 3-metre was very unexpected,” he said. Undoubtedly, carrying the maple leaf in Nanjing will be an added memory.
Riveting men’s field hockey final
Canada won a silver medal in men’s field hockey 5s on Wednesday, the final day of competition. The Canadians were the surprise of the tournament, beating Pakistan in the quarterfinal and upsetting Spain in the semi. Both of those games were decided by a challenge shootout.
Canada created another dramatic finish when down 3-1 by scoring two quick goals, including the tying marker with only five seconds remaining. Leading scorer Amrit Sidhu had both. Vancouver’s Vikram Sandhu had Canada’s other goal. Australia won the challenge shootout 3-2, ending Canadian magic in the unique format.
“We knew they (Australia) would be a patient team, so we had to ‘out-patient’ them,” said Sidhu after the match. “We did get our chances and did convert, but it didn’t really come off in the shoot-out this time, but that happens.”
The silver was Canada’s fourth second place finish, and eighth overall medal. Other medallists in Nanjing:
Silver:
Women’s Rugby 7s
Women’s Beach Volleyball
Diving Men’s 10m platform
Men’s Field Hockey 5s
Bronze:
Rowing Men’s Single Sculls
Rowing Women’s Pairs
Diving Men’s 3m springboard
Archery International Mixed Event
