June 20, 2024
Team Canada’s rowers will enter the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with ambitious goals while fully realizing the historic aspect of the moment.
For each of the two crews representing Canada, these Games have particular importance. The women’s eight will enter the Olympic regatta with the title of Olympic champion, a title which they will of course seek to defend. For the women’s lightweight double sculls, Paris 2024 will be the last time this event will be contested at an Olympic Games, and will therefore be the last opportunity to add to Canada’s record in this event. Emotions will be running high at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
The Canadian women’s eight is loaded with Olympic talent. Avalon Wasteneys, Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski, Sydney Payne, and coxswain Kristen Kit return after being part of the crew that won gold in Tokyo.
“Being back for my second Olympic Games makes me incredibly grateful for all the tremendous support and hard work that got us to this point,” said Wasteneys. Heading to Paris, I’m really looking forward to the full Olympic experience, especially after the more limited experience of the Tokyo Olympics during the global pandemic. What excites me the most is competing with my teammates. This team continually excels under pressure, and I can’t wait to see how we meet the challenge of performing at the highest possible level in Paris! »
Caileigh Filmer, who won a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020 in the pair, returns to the women’s eight, having previously competed in the event at Rio 2016. Other Olympians who will be part of the crew are Jessica Sevick, who finished sixth in Tokyo in the women’s double sculls, and Kristina Walker, who finished 10th in Tokyo in the women’s four. Abby Dent and Maya Meschkuleit will be at their first Olympic Games.
“Being selected for my third Olympic Games is a dream come true that I would not have thought possible a year ago. I picked up a paddle again last July when I returned to the sport, inspired by the idea of helping Canada win a second consecutive Olympic title in the women’s eight. I am so proud of the entire team for our growth, integrity and courage every day. I am absolutely thrilled to row with these women and have fun doing what we love together by representing Canada at the Olympic Games. »
This boat seems to be one of the most powerful competing at these Games, having won gold at the World Rowing World Cup in Lucerne, Switzerland, thanks to a dominant performance which enabled it to beat the United States and Great Britain.
In the women’s lightweight double sculls, Jenny Casson and Jill Moffatt will be the last Canadian duo to compete in this event which has brought so much success to Team Canada athletes over the years. Tracy Cameron and Melanie Kok won bronze at Beijing 2008 while Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee took silver at Rio 2016. Casson and Moffatt know the only medal missing from Canada’s collection is Golden.
READ: The end of lightweight: Jill Moffatt and Jenny Casson set to close a chapter in Canadian Olympic rowing history this summer
Moffatt and Casson will be in their second Olympic Games as a duo, having placed 12th at Tokyo 2020.
“It’s a really special feeling to be officially nominated for my second Olympic Games with Jenny,” said Moffatt. Jenny and I are such different athletes now compared to Tokyo, so I’m looking forward to this regatta as the best versions of ourselves. »
Moffatt and Casson recently completed their World Rowing World Cup season in Lucerne with a fourth place finish, leaving them hungry for a podium place in Paris. They secured their qualification for Paris 2024 by finishing fourth at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
TO READ : Jill Moffatt: Anxiety and panic attacks are part of my Olympic journey…and I’m okay with it
The rowing events at Paris 2024 will take place from July 27 to August 3 at the Stade Nautique in Vaires-sur-Marne. The final of the lightweight double sculls will take place on August 2, while the final of the eight will be contested on the last day of the regatta.
With 43 medals in its history, rowing is the third most successful summer sport of all time for Canada at the Olympics, after track and field and swimming.
Team rowers Canada to Paris 2024:
Abby Dent (Kenora, ON)
Jenny Casson (Kingston, ON)
Caileigh Filmer (Victoria, BC)
Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski (Calgary, AB)
Kristen Kit (St. Catharines, ON)
Maya Meschkuleit (Mississauga, ON)
Jill Moffatt (Bethany, ON)
Sydney Payne (Victoria, BC)
Jessica Sevick (Strathmore, AB)
Kristina Walker (Wolfe Island, ON)
Avalon Wasteneys (Campbell River, BC)
