Meet Canada’s new kids on the block in PyeongChang
Every Olympic cycle brings a brand new crop of athletes looking to make their mark for Canada, and this year is no different.
Some have already made their breakthrough on the Olympic stage at PyeongChang 2018, while others are still looking to collect their first experience at these Winter Games. But if all goes according to plan, we’ll be seeing many of these faces wearing the red and white again at Beijing 2022 and beyond.
Here’s a look at a few of the young, first-time Olympians suiting up for Canada in PyeongChang:
Laurie Blouin – snowboard
Team Canada’s Laurie Blouin wins the silver medal in the Ladies’ Slopestyle Snowboard Final during the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea on February 12, 2018. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/COC)
The 21-year-old from Quebec City burst onto the scene at last year’s FIS World Championships, capturing gold in slopestyle. Then, in PyeongChang, she overcame a scary fall in training and windy conditions during her run to claim a silver medal in slopestyle. How much higher can this youngster go?
Kim Boutin – short track speed skating
Canada’s Kim Boutin is hugged by teammate Marianne St-Gelais after finding out she has won the bronze medal in the women’s 500m short track speed skating final at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics Tuesday, February 13, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
She came into PyeongChang somewhat under the radar, with much of the focus being on veteran teammate Marianne St-Gelais. But the 23-year-old newcomer from Sherbrooke, Quebec put on a show in her first Olympic final, racing to a bronze medal in the 500m event. She’s got three more events yet to go—and she’s definitely on the radar now.
Samuel Girard – short track speed skating
Team Canada’s Samuel Girard competes in the men’s 1,500 metre heats at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Saturday, February 10, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
He made the final in the men’s 1500m and just missed the podium, finishing in fourth place. But the 21-year-old from Ferland-et-Boilleau, Quebec has more work left to do, as he’s set to also compete in the 1000m event and the 5000m team relay event, alongside the highly decorated Charles Hamelin.
Brooke Apshkrum – luge
Brooke Apshkrum of Canada competes in heat one of women’s single luge during the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea on Monday, February 12, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Apshkrum couldn’t have possibly gotten a more inspirational introduction to the Winter Games, as she got to witness teammate Alex Gough finally win Canada’s first-ever medal in the sport of luge, a bronze. For her part, the 18-year-old from Calgary finished a not-too-shabby 13th in the women’s singles event—could she make her own history four years from now?
Elisabeth Vathje – skeleton
Team Canada’s skeleton athlete Elisabeth Vathje, shows her helmet to media ahead of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games Photo COC/David Jackson
The 23-year-old from Calgary won a silver in her first-ever World Cup race, during the 2014-15 season, and has been racking up the World Cup podiums since then. She’s the youngest of Canada’s six skeleton racers in PyeongChang, but could contend for the country’s first medal in the event since Vancouver 2010.
Ben Donnelly – long track speed skating
Canada’s Benjamin Donnelly competes in the men’s 1500m at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Korea, Tuesday, February 13, 2018. COC Photo by Jason Ransom
He was a recipient of Skating Canada’s Rising Star Award in 2016, when he helped Canada to a bronze in the team pursuit at the ISU World Single Distances Championship. Now, the 21-year-old from Ajax, Ontario could see his star rise even higher, as he’ll be looking to help Canada hit the podium in the men’s team pursuit at PyeongChang.
Sarah Nurse – ice hockey
Canada’s Sarah Nurse fights for a loose puck against the Olympic Athletes from Russia on Feb. 11, 2018 at Kwandong Hockey Centre. (Photo: Vincent Ethier/COC)
You might know the Nurse name through Sarah’s cousins, basketball star Kia and fellow hockey player Darnell. But the 23-year-old forward from Hamilton is coming into an Olympic team stocked with firepower and Olympic pedigree, with Canada having won four straight gold medals. Could she help them earn a fifth?
Elizabeth Hosking – snowboard
Team Canada’s youngest female athlete, Elizabeth Hosking, 16, trains at the Phoenix Snow Park half pipe, PyeongChang, South Korea. Photo/David Jackson
Hosking is the youngest member of Team Canada in PyeongChang, at just 16 years old. But she’s not new to international competition, having entered her first World Snowboard Tour event at age 10. She finished 19th in the women’s half-pipe event in PyeongChang, but at this rate, she has plenty of bright moments yet to come.
