The Games of the XXX Olympiad unfold between July 27 and August 12, 2012. It marks London’s third time hosting the Olympic Games, but first in 64 years. The Canadian Olympic Team is coming off its third-best summer performance with 18 medals, and tied for 13th in the overall medal count in Beijing in 2008. The Team is led by Canada’s 2012 Chef de Mission, swimming icon Mark Tewksbury.
Key Facts:
- The Olympic Flame arrives May 18, 2012 after which it goes on a 70-day relay across the United Kingdom.
- The Canadian Olympic Committee has set a goal for the Canadian Olympic Team to place among the top 12 nations in total medal count.
- Canada has won medals in rowing, wrestling and canoe-kayak at the past five Games.
- Women will compete in boxing events for the first time since 1904.
- Canada may have two athletes – gymnast Karen Cockburn and diver Emilie Heymans – attempting to win their fourth straight medals.
ATHLETES TO WATCH FOR:
SVEIN TUFT and MICHAEL BARRY
In Beijing in 2008, cyclists Svein Tuft and Michael Barry set new Canadian marks in time trial (7th) and road race (9th), respectively. Tuft is from Langley, British Columbia and Barry is from Toronto, Ontario. Keep an eye on these athletes when the Games arrive in 2012.
Svein Tuft’s grandfather, Arne Tuft was an Olympic cross-country skier from Norway. Michael’s wife, Dede Demet Barry won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
PRISCILLA LOPES-SCHLIEP and PERDITA FELICIEN
Priscilla Lopes-Schliep and Perdita Felicien have become two superstars of the 100-metre hurdles, and for good reason. In 2008, Priscilla won Canada’s first Olympic athletics medal (bronze) in three Games.
Perdita, a world champion in the event, could not compete in Beijing because of a foot injury, but was back on the podium alongside Priscilla at the 2010 World Indoor Championships.
The hurdles that Priscilla and Perdita will be leaping over are 83.8cm high, which is slightly higher than the standard height of a desk. They will jump 10 of these hurdles in under 13 seconds.