The 6 defending Canadian Pan Am gold medal-winning teams
Feature: Laura Brown takes a Canadian flag from a fan after Canada won the gold in women’s team pursuit at Guadalajara 2011.
Six teams will defend their Pan Am Games titles from Guadalajara 2011 in Toronto this summer.
Within these teams are several Olympians, including 15 Pan Am Games gold medallists. Here are the six teams (and a bonus squad) that will be looking to repeat as Pan Am champions:
Synchronized swimming
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Team Canada showing off their gold at the Pan Am Games in the team event at Guadalajara, 2011.
Canada swept the top step of the synchro podium at Guadalajara 2011. The only returning squad member is Karine Thomas, who will compete in both the team and duet events with Jacqueline Simoneau at the Pan Am Aquatics Centre and Field House.
Men’s Baseball
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Men’s national baseball team at Guadalajara 2011 (Photo by: Baseball Canada)
Seven of the 24-man Guadalajara 2011 roster returns this summer, led by Shawn Hill, Brock Kjeldgaard, Kyle Lotzkar, Scott Richmond, Chris Robinson, Tim Smith and Skyler Stromsmoe.
Cycling
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The women’s cycling team pursuit squad for Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games (L-R) Kirsti Lay, Laura Brown (returning), Allison Beveridge and Jasmin Glaesser (returning).
Women’s team pursuit riders Laura Brown and Jasmin Glaesser return to defend their Pan Am title, this time with Allison Beveridge and Kirsti Lay.
Rugby sevens
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Canada’s Conor Trainor carries the ball in sevens action. Photo: Ian Muir / Rugby Canada
Six of the 12-member Guadalajara 2011 team returns to Exhibition Stadium. They are veterans Phil Mack, Sean Duke, Sean White, Nathan Hirayama, John Moonlight and Conor Trainor.
Football
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Team Canada celebrating their victory in Guadalajara 2011.
The women’s defending champs beat Brazil 4-3 in a gold medal final shootout in 2011. Although it’ll be a younger team this year, with World Cup stars like Kadeisha Buchanan in tow, Canada will have a strong team to contend.
Squash
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Samantha Cornett during the gold medal match in Guadalajara 2011.
The three member women’s squad includes returning champion, Samantha Cornett who will kick off the team competition on July 14.
Honourable mention
Canoe-Kayak
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Canada’s Ryan Cochrane, right, and Hugues Fournel race in the 200-metre kayak double (K2) final during the 2012 Summer Olympics at Dorney, England on Saturday, August 11, 2012.
Although not considered a traditional team, Canoe-Kayak members with multiple paddler boats will defend their titles in the following categories: men’s K-2 200m, K-2 1000m and women’s K-4 500m.
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