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Canadian Rowing Team Nominated for Rio 2016

TORONTO — On Tuesday, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) named the 26 athletes nominated to represent Team Canada in rowing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games from August 5 to 21.

Of the 26 athletes, there are 10 returning Olympians, including six who stood on the podium at London 2012. Leading the way is Lesley Thompson-Willie, the coxswain of the women’s eight, who will be competing in her eighth Olympic Games, tying the all-time women’s record for any sport.

Download hi-res team photos

Canada qualified six boats last September at the World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France. The men’s quadruple sculls qualified as the seventh and final boat at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland in May.

Canada’s final pre-Olympic competition also took place in Lucerne at the second World Rowing Cup where the lightweight women’s double sculls crew of Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee won a gold medal. Training camps for the men’s and women’s rowing teams will be held in July in Guelph and London, Ontario respectively.

The rowing competition will take place at the Lagoa Stadium, August 6-14, with eight men’s events and six women’s events.

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

RCA is a non-profit organization recognized by the Government of Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national governing body for rowing in Canada, representing more than 15,000 registered members.

RCA is a member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Fédération internationale des sociétés d’aviron (FISA), the international federation for rowing. For more information about Rowing Canada Aviron, please visit rowingcanada.org or follow @rowingcanada.

QUOTES

“I’m fired up to be named alongside these 25 athletes and compete for Canada at Rio 2016! With just over a month until the Games, the four-year countdown is almost at an end. With the help of my coach and support staff, I’m continuing to work towards my best performance. The start line is firmly in my sight and I can’t wait to be representing Canada this summer.”

Carling Zeeman, Rio 2016 athlete

 

“There’s always a great sense of pride in being named to Team Canada. Rio 2016 will be my third Olympics but standing here today, it’s not a feeling I’ve ever taken for granted. I’m ready to compete at my highest level and am excited for the Games to begin.”

Rob Gibson, Rio 2016 athlete, London 2012 silver medallist

 

“Canada will be heading into Rio with a very strong contingent of medal contenders. These athletes have persistently proven their commitment and determination for excellence. Rowing competitions are among the most exciting to watch at the Games and I have no doubt our athletes will be putting on a show for our fans.”

Curt Harnett, Rio 2016 Team Canada Chef de Mission

 

“I am very pleased with this strong team of athletes. They have accomplished a lot in being named today to Canada’s Olympic Rowing Team, showing tremendous dedication over many years to get to this moment. I am confident that this team will meet the tests ahead of them and that they will make us all proud of their performances at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.”

Michael Walker, President, Rowing Canada Aviron

 

“Canada’s reputation as a leading sport nation is due, in part, to the ferocity of our rowers on the water at Olympic Games. Rio will be another chapter in that wonderful story. I encourage all Canadians – 35 million strong – to join Team Canada in cheering for our rowers as they push for the podium in every race in Rio.”

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

The rowing team which will represent Canada at Rio 2016 includes:

Athletes:

First Last Hometown Event
Julien Bahain Angers, France Men’s quadruple sculls
Will Crothers Kingston, ON Men’s four
Will Dean Kelowna, BC Men’s quadruple sculls
Caileigh Filmer Victoria, BC Women’s eight
Rob Gibson Kingston, ON Men’s quadruple sculls
Susanne Grainger London, ON Women’s eight
Nicole Hare Calgary, AB Women’s pair
Brendan Hodge South Delta, BC Lightweight men’s four
Lindsay Jennerich Victoria, BC Lightweight women’s double sculls
Kai Langerfeld North Vancouver, BC Men’s four
Maxwell Lattimer Delta, BC Lightweight men’s four
Pascal Lussier Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC Men’s quadruple sculls
Jennifer Martins Toronto, ON Women’s pair
Natalie Mastracci Thorold, ON Women’s eight
Conlin McCabe Brockville, ON Men’s four
Cristy Nurse Georgetown, ON Women’s eight
Patricia Obee Victoria, BC Lightweight women’s double sculls
Nicolas Pratt Kingston, ON Lightweight men’s four
Lisa Roman Langley, BC Women’s eight
Christine Roper Montego Bay, JAM Women’s eight
Tim Schrijver Thedford, ON Men’s four
Lesley Thompson-Willie London, ON Women’s eight
Antje von Seydlitz Smithers, BC Women’s eight
Lauren Wilkinson North Vancouver, BC Women’s eight
Eric Woelfl St. Catharines, ON Lightweight men’s four
Carling Zeeman Cambridge, ON Women’s single sculls

Alternates:

First Last Hometown Event
Ashley Brzozowicz Omemee, ON Alternate
Matthew Buie Duntroon, ON Alternate
Hillary Janssens Cloverdale, BC Alternate
Kate Sauks Owen Sound, ON Alternate

Coaches:

Position First Last Hometown
Performance Director, Women’s Program John Keogh Launcestron, Tasmania, Australia
Performance Director, Men’s Program Martin McElroy Galway, Ireland
Performance Director, Lightweight Men’s Program Al Morrow London, ON
Coach Phil Marshall Brockville, ON
Coach Tom Morris Perth, Western Australia
Coach Volker Nolte Saarbrücken, Germany
Coach Terry Paul Peterborough, 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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