Mark Oldershaw
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Personal Details
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Biography
Mark Oldershaw is a third generation Olympian and the fifth member of his family to compete at the Olympic Games, but the first to win an Olympic medal when he captured C-1 1000m bronze at London 2012. He followed in the wake of his grandfather Bert (London 1948, Helsinki 1952, Melbourne 1956), father Scott (Los Angeles 1984) and uncles Dean (Munich 1972, Montreal 1976) and Reed (Montreal 1976). Oldershaw first made his mark on the international scene at the 2001 World Junior Championships where he won gold in the C-1 500m and C-1 1000m events. After that success, his grandfather gave him the paddle he had used at London 1948, making it one of his most prized possessions. Oldershaw made his ICF World Championship debut in 2002, competing in C-4 events. By the 2006 Worlds he had moved into a solo boat and has since become a consistent podium contender in the C-1 1000m event. Oldershaw was given the honour of being Canada’s Opening Ceremony flag bearer at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto and went on to win silver in the C-1 1000m. He competed in his third Olympic Games at Rio 2016.
Getting to know…
Family: Parents Scott and Connie Lee Oldershaw… Older brother Adam is the head coach at Burloak Canoe Club… Younger sister Tessa… The family legacy in canoe/kayak began with grandfather Bert who founded the Mississauga Canoe Club in 1958 after his three Olympic appearances… Father Scott competed in K-1 500m at Los Angeles 1984 and is now his coach… Uncle Dean competed in K-1 1000m and K-4 1000m at Munich 1972 and K-1 500m at Montreal 1976… Uncle Reed competed in K-1 1000m at Montreal 1976… Wife Annamay Pierse is a 2008 Olympic swimmer and 2009 World silver medallist… Daughter Josephine was born 12 weeks prematurely in August 2015, just before the world championships… Getting into the Sport: Grew up around the canoe club but was about 7 when he was first in a boat by himself… Started racing at age 9… Outside Interests: Graduated from Carleton University in 2010 with a degree in English… On the board of directors for Project CANOE, which sends kids facing hard times on 1-2 week canoe trips for a life-transforming experience… Enjoys volunteer coaching kids at the canoe club… Odds and Ends: Developed non-cancerous tumour in left hand in 2003 that required two surgeries and seriously affected his training for two years…
Olympic Highlights
| Games | Sport | Event | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Beijing | Canoe-Kayak - Sprint | C-1 500m - Men | 10 |
| 2012 London | Canoe-Kayak - Sprint | C-1 1,000m - Men | Bronze |
| 2016 Rio | Canoe-Kayak - Sprint | C-1 1,000m - Men | 12 |
| 2016 Rio | Canoe-Kayak - Sprint | C-1 200m - Men | 20 |
Notable International Results
Olympic Games: 2016 - 12th (C-1 1000), 20th (C-1 200); 2012 – BRONZE (C-1 1000); 2008 – 10th (C-1 500)
Pan American Games: 2015 – SILVER (C-1 1000)
ICF World Championships: 2015 – 9th (C-1 1000); 2014 – 6th (C-1 1000); 2013 – 9th (C-1 1000); 2011 – 5th (C-1 1000); 2010 – 8th (C-1 1000); 2009 –5th (C-1 500), 4th (C-1 1000); 2007 –5th (C-1 500), 9th (C-1 1000); 2006 – 6th (C-1 500), 10th (C-1 1000)
