Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Canada at the
2016 Summer Olympics
IOC codeCAN
NOCCanadian Olympic Committee
Websitewww.olympic.ca (in English and French)
in Rio de Janeiro
Competitors314 in 27 sports
Flag bearers Rosie MacLennan (opening)[1]
Penny Oleksiak (closing)
Medals
Ranked 20th
Gold
4
Silver
3
Bronze
15
Total
22
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)
Other related appearances
1906 Intercalated Games

Canada competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5 to August 21, 2016. Since the nation's debut in 1900, Canadian athletes had appeared in every edition of the Summer Olympic Games, with the exception of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow because of the country's support for the United States-led boycott. The chef de mission was Curt Harnett, appointed in April 2016 after Jean-Luc Brassard, the original chef de mission, resigned his position.[2][3]

A total of 314 athletes, 128 men and 186 women over 27 sports (all of the Olympic sports except handball), represented the country, an increase of 37 athletes from 2012.[4] The team contained 98 coaches and 107 support staff (such as doctors and physiotherapists among others).[5] Originally, 312 athletes were named to the team, however two male athletes were added in kayaking on July 29, 2016 following the suspension of Russian athletes, thus bringing the total to 314.[6] Canada qualified five squads in team sports, matching the record high from 1984.[7] Canada's official goal (set by Own the Podium) for these games were at least 19 medals of any colour (an improvement of one or more from 2012), and a top 12 finish in terms of overall medals won.[8] Canada left the games with 22 medals (ranked in the top ten in terms of overall medals), which matched the total from the 1996 Games in Atlanta, the previous high for a non-boycotted games. Canadian athletes were paid for medals earned. Gold medallists earned $20,000; silver medallists were paid $15,000; and bronze medallists $10,000, coming from the Athlete Excellence Fund.[9]

Rosie MacLennan, trampoline gymnast who had left the 2012 Games as the sole Canadian to win gold, was honored as Canada's flagbearer at the opening ceremony.[1] Swimmer Penny Oleksiak broke the country's Olympic record for most medals (4) won by a single Canadian athlete in any Summer Olympic Games, as well as becoming the youngest ever Canadian gold medallist.[10] At the end of the Games, she was appointed as the flagbearer for the team at the closing ceremony, becoming Canada's youngest flag-bearer in Olympic history.[11]

  1. ^ a b Hossain, Asif (21 July 2016). "MacLennan to lead Team Canada as flag bearer at Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony". Canadian Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 1 December 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  2. ^ Heroux, David (13 April 2016). "Curt Harnett 'natural' fit to step in as last-minute chef de mission". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
  3. ^ Hall, Vicki (13 April 2016). "Jean-Luc Brassard says he resigned as Olympic chef de mission after he 'spent a lot of energy' challenging COC over Marcel Aubut allegations". National Post. Postmedia Network. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  4. ^ "COC announces 312-athlete Canadian team for Rio Olympics". Montreal Gazette. Montreal, Quebec. 25 July 2016. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  5. ^ Sevunts, Levon (26 July 2016). "Canada is sending 312 athletes to Rio Olympics". www.rcinet.ca/. Radio Canada International. Retrieved 26 July 2016. The Canadian team includes 98 coaches and 107 support staff.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Canada receives additional quota spots for Men's K2 200m". www.canoekayak.ca/. Canoe Kayak Canada. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  7. ^ Beacon, Bill (13 July 2016). "Canada aiming for at least 19 medals in Rio". The Canadian Press. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Archived from the original on 16 July 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  8. ^ Hall, Vicki (13 July 2016). "Canada targets 19 medals at the Rio Olympic Games". National Post. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  9. ^ The Canadian Press (11 October 2008). "COC rewards Canadian medal winners from Beijing". Toronto: The Sports Network. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 24 October 2008.
  10. ^ "Penny Oleksiak wins gold, captures historic 4th Olympic medal". Toronto: CBC Sports. 12 August 2016. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
  11. ^ "Penny Oleksiak to carry flag for Canada at Rio closing ceremony". www.cbc.ca/. CBC Sports. 21 August 2016. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.