ANALYSIS | Going for Gold: Canadian Athletes to Watch at The Paris Olympics
Photo Credit: Seth Wenig/AP
With the Paris 2024 Olympics around the corner, the anticipation of Canadian athletes showcasing their athleticism on the global stage is at its highest. As the clock counts down to the opening ceremony on July 26, there are plenty of Canadians to look out for.
Tennis player Leylah Fernandez’s momentum is strong after winning the Hong Kong Open in October and the Billie Jean Cup in November, both for Team Canada. Whether she is competing in singles or doubles, she is someone to watch for at the Olympics.
At age 17, Brian Yang won the 2019 badminton national singles title, making him the youngest man in Canadian history to win the title. He also recently won gold for Canada at the 2023 Pan American Games. Not only is he a threat in singles, but in doubles as well.
Ethan Katzberg broke Pawel Fajdek’s five year world championship title in hammer throwing at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. On top of that, he broke the Pan American Games record. Hammer thrower Camryn Rogers, who became the first Canadian woman to reach the podium in a field event in 2022, is also set to establish more records.
Summer McIntosh had a breakout year in 2024 winning four medals at the world swimming championships. At 17 years old, she is a swimmer to watch in the butterfly and individual medley events.
In 2023, Mia Vallee and her partner Pamela Ware secured bronze at the World Aquatics Diving World Cup. After, at the Pan American Games, Vallee and Ware clinched silver in the 3 metre springboard event. Ware won an additional gold medal in the 1 metre springboard event.
Penny Oleksiak, with seven career medals in her pocket, is set to play a significant role in the women’s relays for Canada and can further extend her record on the international stage.
Olympic sprinting champion Andre De Grasse is regaining his form after a foot injury and is ready to reclaim his spot among the world’s elite sprinters. De Grasse is a six-time Olympic medalist, and won gold in the 200-metre sprint in 2020.
The stage is set for Canadian athletes to captivate the world with their remarkable talent and determination. Canadian eyes will be on the national team athletes as they embark on their quest for glory, ready to inspire a nation and leave a mark on the world of sport. Let the games begin!