The Canadian women’s football (soccer) team in 2016 Rio
The 2020 Summer Olympics hosted in Toyko, Japan kick off this Friday, July 23rd! After the global pandemic postponing the games, athletes are ready to face international competition.
Many athletes from the Greater Toronto Area will be playing on Team Canada. Including several local track stars joining the likes of Andre De Grasse, as Torontonian runners. As well as the amount of GTA representation on both Badminton teams, women’s Basketball, Football (soccer), and Beach Volleyball teams. Here’s a brief list of Torontonian Athletes you can cheer on for in the 2020 summer Olympic games!
For more Olympic athletes to root for, checkout Jillian Weir. A hammer thrower from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, making her olympic debut.
Pierce LePage (25) | Athletics
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
Hometown: Whitby, Ontario
Residence: Whitby, Ontario
Becoming a Decathalon athlete at the age of 17, Pierce LePage garnered a spot on the podium in the 2019’s Pan American Games; earning a bronze medal. At the beginning of his career, LePage broke the 8000-point barrier at the French Decastar meet. Outside of the impressive multi-sport game performances, Pierce is also a self-proclaimed video game nerd!
Jessica Guo (16) | Fencing
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Residence: Toronto, Ontario
During the 2019 Pan Am Games, a 14-year-old Jessica won 2 silver medals. One individual and the other for the team foil event. This year’s FIE World Championships, she earned herself a gold and bronze medal in cadet and junior levels. Jessica currently ranks 15th in the world for women’s individual foil, with her older sister Zi Shan ranking 10th.
Penny Oleksiak (21) | Swimming
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Residence: Toronto, Ontario
A 16-year-old Penny Olesiak was the first Canadian athlete to win 4 medals in a single summer game. This was the same game where she tied with Canada’s most decorated swimmer of all time. During the Rio 2016, Oylpimcs Penny became Canada’s youngest gold medalist. A captivating record-setting debut from a young swimmer, and in turn was Team Canada’s flag bearer for the closing ceremony.
Bismark Boateng (29) | Athletics
Birthplace: Accra, Ghana
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Residence: Brampton, Ontario
After entering track events while transferring to York University, Bismark won 3 titles at the 2014 CIS Championships. At 2017’s Jeux de la Francophonie he collected a bronze medal for 100m and a silver in 4x100m Relay. Boateng’s track journey has landed him, his first Olympic events on team Canada.
Ashley Kraayeveld (29) | Taekwondo
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario
Residence: Mississauga, Ontario
In the 2014 Pan American Championships Ashley Kraayeveld won a gold medal. In this same year Ashley stood on the podium of every international event she competed in. She went on to place in Costa Rica, Australia, Mexico, and US Open. Winning a gold medal in Costa Rica, and Australia. Most recently Kraayeveld placed 5th in the 62kg class at the 2019 World Taekwondo Championships.
Crystal Emmanuel (29) | Athletics
Birthplace: Scarborough, Ontario
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Residence: Toronto, Ontario
Crystal started her track career at the age of 6, and since then has become a 200m semi-finalist at 2012, and 2016 Olympics. In 2016, Emmanuel ran the second leg for the 4x100m Relay, and placing 7th. In the Pan-Am Lima games, she placed 6th in the 100m, 4th in the 200m, and 2nd in the 4x100m Relay.
Stephanie Barrett (42) | Archery
Birthplace: Newmarket, Ontario
Hometown: Newmarket, Ontario
Residence: Mississauga, Ontario
Stephanie Barret picked up Archery at the age of 37, then 2 years later winning gold at Canadian Field and Target Championships. Barrett’s first Olympic game comes after a silver win at the American Continental Qualification Tournament. Outside of shooting arrows, Stephanie programs video games, gardens, and fundraises for breast cancer research during the Canadian Archers for a Cause event.
Tamara (35) and Alisha Tatham (34) | Basketball
Birthplace: East York, Ontario
Hometown:Brampton, Ontario
Residence: Brampton, Ontario
These Brampton sisters will play on Canada women’s basketball team for the 2020 Toyko Olympics. Both played during the 2012 London Olympics, finishing with the team at 7th. In 2016 Tamara went on to play in Rio. Before team Canada, the Tatham sisters played on the University of Massachusetts basketball team from 2004-2007. Tamara and Alisha also run businesses, 4Ever Hoops Clothing and a not-for-profit, Love Live Hoops, together.
Samantha Smith (29) | Gymnastics
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
Hometown: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Residence: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Trampolinists Samantha Smith will be competing in her first Olympic event after winning gold at the Pan Am in 2019. The same year Smith received Canada’s 4th gold medal in women’s trampoline at the Pan American Games. In 2009 during her first international competition, Smith decided to postpone the retirement she had been planning after placing individually and with a team.