Canadian Roundup: An Olympic berth and a lot of gold medals
It was a successful weekend for Canadians as men’s volleyball punched its ticket to Rio 2016 and swimmers hauled some serious at international competitions.
Here’s the details of Canada’s gold medal weekend.
Volleyball
Read: Canada qualifies for men’s Olympic Volleyball at Rio 2016
Gavin Schmitt celebrates a point against China on June 5, 2016 at the final Olympic qualifying tournament for Rio 2016 (Photo: FIVB).
Canada’s men’s volleyball team is officially going to the Olympics for the first time in 24 years. The team punched its ticket to Rio at the final FIVB World Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tokyo, after defeating China 3-1 on Sunday.
Swimming
Read: Swimmers strike gold two months from Rio 2016
Ryan Cochrane at Olympic Trials (Photo: Vaughn Ridley)
Canadian swimmers picked up more than 15 medals at three competitions over the weekend. Santo Condorelli set a new Canadian 100m butterfly record of 51.98s in Indianapolis. Over in Santa Clara, California Ryan Cochrane not only won the 1500m freestyle, but finished second in the 400m event. Kierra Smith brought home two breaststroke gold medals at the Mare Nostrum Tour stop in Monaco.
Athletics
Read: De Grasse first, Bishop third in Birmingham
Andre De Grasse races to a 200m Diamond League victory in Birmingham, England on June 5, 2016. (Photo: Altis)
Pan Am double gold medallist, Andre De Grasse won his first Diamond League 200m of the season in Birmingham after running 20.16 seconds. World silver medallist, Melissa Bishop also made her way onto the podium, finishing third in the women’s 800m in one minutes 58:48s on Sunday.
Canoe-Kayak
Read: Paddlers end World Cup season with medals in Portugal
Paddlers capped of the world cup season in Portugal with two medals in Olympic events. Etienne Morneau and Ryan Cochrane kicked off the weekend with a bonze medal in the men’s K2 200m on Saturday. Mark de Jonge added a silver medal in the K1 200m on Sunday. Canadian paddlers also won medals in non-Olympic events, including a gold for Mark Oldershaw in the C1 500m.
Football
Read: Canada falls to Brazil in women’s soccer friendly
Josee Belanger chases the ball against Brazil on June 4, 2016 against Brazil in Toronto (Thomas Skrlj/COC)
Canada’s women’s team hosted Brazil in the first of two friendly matches on Saturday. A rough first half led to a 2-0 win for the Rio 2016 hosts, however the teams will go head to head on Tuesday in Ottawa with Canada hungry for a hometown victory.
