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Athletics Canada team nominated for Rio 2016

TORONTO — The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Athletics Canada named the 65 athletes nominated to represent Team Canada in athletics at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games from August 5 to 21.

Some of the athletes selected include: Shawn Barber (pole vault, 2015 World Champion) and Derek Drouin (high jump, 2015 World Champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medallist) as well as 2015 IAAF World Championship individual medallists Andre De Grasse (sprints), Brianne Theisen-Eaton (heptathlon), Benjamin Thorne (race walk) and Damian Warner (decathlon). The team is led by Head Coach and Chief Technical Officer, Peter Eriksson.

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The athletes earned their spots at the Canadian Championships and Selection Trials which took place July 7-10 at Foote Field in Edmonton, Alberta.

All athletics competitions will be held at the Olympic Stadium (Engenhão), except for the marathons which will take place in the area of Sambódromo and race walking events in Pontal.

At Rio 2016, Canada expects to field a team of approximately 314 athletes.

About Athletics Canada

Athletics Canada is the national governing body for track and field, cross country and road running. Its purpose, through collective leadership, is to drive growth in participation, and enabling sustainable international performances in a positive sport atmosphere.

QUOTES

“This is the strongest and most well-rounded team I have ever been a part of. The team counts multiple world medallists and a talented roster who will challenge for the podium on the track and in the field. My teammates and I are ready to compete for Canada in Rio.”

Brianne Theisen-Eaton, Rio 2016 athlete

 

“Following a very competitive Trials in Edmonton, we have nominated a versatile and focused group of athletes who will be ready to perform on-demand in Rio. The team is comprised of veterans who have already experienced international success, and up-and-coming athletes who are ready to take the next step.”

Peter Eriksson, Head Coach, Athletics Canada

 

“The recent results of these nominees is very good reason for Canada to be excited about track and field. This group continues to grow and I’m excited to see what they will bring to Rio. I wish all of you the absolute best in your final preparations as you set your sights for success.”

Curt Harnett, Rio 2016 Team Canada Chef de Mission

 

“As excitement grows for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, I know our track and field athletes are ready to make an extra effort to push for the podium against the world’s best. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I commend the work done by Athletics Canada to prepare our athletes named today to Team Canada. We’re all behind you.”

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

The athletics team that will represent Canada at Rio 2016 includes:

Athletes:

First Last Hometown Event
Kelsie Ahbe Toronto, ON Pole Vault
Mohammed Ahmed St. Catharines, ON 5000m, 10,000m
Mobolade Ajomale Richmond Hill, ON 4x100m Relay
Shawn Barber Toronto, ON Pole Vault
Maria Bernard Calgary, AB 3000m Steeplechase
Mathieu Bilodeau Calgary, AB 50km Race Walk
Khamica Bingham Brampton, ON 4x100m Relay, 100m
Melissa Bishop Eganville, ON 800m
Nathan Brannen Cambridge, ON 1500m
Lucas Bruchet Vancouver, BC 5000m
Aaron Brown Toronto, ON 100m, 200m, 4x100m Relay
Alicia Brown Ottawa, ON 400m, 4x400m Relay
Johnathan Cabral Péribonka, QC 110m Hurdles
Chanice Chase Toronto, ON 400m Hurdles, 4x400m Relay
Kendra Clarke Edmonton, AB 400m, 4x400m Relay
Reid Coolsaet Hamilton, ON Marathon
Brittany Crew East York, ON Shot Put
Andre De Grasse Markham, ON 100m, 200m, 4x100m Relay
Derek Drouin Corunna, ON High Jump
Krista DuChene Brantford, ON Marathon
Evan Dunfee Richmond, BC 20km and 50km Race Walk
Crystal Emmanuel East York, ON 100m, 200m, 4x100m Relay
Phylicia George Markham, ON 100m Hurdles, 4x100m Relay
Eric Gillis Antigonish, NS Marathon
Elizabeth Gleadle Vancouver, BC Javelin
Iñaki  Gomez Vancouver, BC 20km Racewalk
Akeem Haynes Calgary, AB 100m, 4x100m Relay
Nikkita Holder Pickering, ON 100m Hurdles
Matthew Hughes Oshawa, ON 3000m Steeplechase
Kimberly Hyacinthe Terrebonne, QC 200m, 4x100m Relay
Farah Jacques Gatineau, QC 4x100m Relay
Sekou Kaba Ottawa, ON 110m Hurdles
Marissa Kurtimah Guelph, ON 4x100m Relay
Geneviève Lalonde Moncton, NB 3000m Steeplechase
Oluwasegun Makinde Ottawa, ON 4x100m Relay
Lanni Marchant London, ON 10,000m, Marathon
Mike Mason Nanoose Bay, BC High Jump
Brandon McBride Windsor, ON 800m
Taylor Milne Callander, ON 3000m Steeplechase
Noelle Montcalm Belle River, ON 400m Hurdles
Carline Muir Edmonton, AB 400m, 4x400m Relay
Tim Nedow Brockville, ON Shot Put
Christabel Nettey Surrey, BC Long Jump
Anicka Newell Scarborough, ON Pole Vault
Alysha Newman London, ON Pole Vault
Jessica O’Connell Calgary, AB 5000m
Charles Philibert-Thiboutot Quebec City, QC 1500m
Micha Powell Montreal, QC 4x400m Relay
Brendon Rodney Brampton, ON 200m, 4x100m Relay
Anthony Romaniw Hamilton, ON 800m
Andrea Seccafien Guelph, ON 5000m
Nicole Sifuentes Winnipeg, MB 1500m
Gabriela Stafford Toronto, ON 1500m
Hilary Stellingwerff Victoria, BC 1500m
Taryn Suttie Hanley, SK Shot Put
Erin Teschuk Winnipeg, MB 3000m Steeplechase
Brianne Theisen-Eaton Humboldt, SK Heptathlon
Benjamin Thorne Kitimat, BC 20km Race Walk
Alyxandria Treasure Prince George, BC High Jump
Damian Warner London, ON Decathlon
Sage Watson Medicine Hat, AB 400m Hurdles, 4x400m Relay
Angela Whyte Edmonton, AB 100m Hurdles
Chris Winter North Vancouver, BC 3000m Steeplechase
Natasha Wodak Vancouver, BC 10,000m

Coaches and Support Team:

Position First Last Hometown
Sprints/Hurdles Charles Allen Brampton, ON
CTO/Head Coach Peter Eriksson Ottawa, ON
Sprints/Relays Glenroy Gilbert Ottawa, ON
Endurance Heather Hennigar Halifax, NS
Jumps Jeff Huntoon Toronto, ON
Team Leader Jared MacLeod Winnipeg, MB
Technical Manager Carla Nicolls Regina, SK
Throws Coordinator Richard Parkinson Toronto, ON
Assistant Manager Ingrid Ruys Victoria, BC
Team Manager Jessica Scarlatro Richmond Hill, ON
Endurance Dave Scott-Thomas Guelph, ON

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.

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