Nikkita Holder on her way to a bronze medal in the 100m hurdles. “Before any Games, there’s always that feeling of apprehension, ‘What are we doing?’ and that’s really been proven wrong”, he said.
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Also, the narrative that began with the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics continued – Canadians love to see Canadians win and are no longer shy about showing it. Canadian victories were passionately and boisterously cheered here by capacity crowds while games involving other teams were often spottily attended. Only a few were still in town to march Sunday night.
– Adam Simac, Ottawa, and Nicholas Hoag, Gatineau, BRONZE, volleyball, men.
Sara Groenewegen gutted out a complete-game effort from the pitcher’s circle in the scorching heat, and Canada erupted for four runs in the top of the eighth to win its second Pan Am Games gold, and first since 1983. And with 78 golds, Canada beat its record of 64, also set at the Winnipeg Games.
The president of the Canadian Paralympic Committee was quick to throw his support behind the pitch.
“We are not done yet”. The new Canada? Like it or not, it’s here, and most of us seem to like it. We are always reaching higher.
Ellie Black leapt and tumbled to five medals in artistic gymnastics, as Canada’s most decorated athlete at the Games. The athletes come in and see one another and think: “‘Not only am I a rowing athlete but a member of Team USA.’ And there’s a sense of pride and ownership that goes with that”, chief of sport performance Alan Ashley told USA TODAY Sports.
However, ticket sales slowly picked up and crossed the one-million mark on July 19.
The HOV lanes also brought out the creative side of some drivers, who used mannequins to pose as passengers.
Peter Eriksson, the head coach of Athletics Canada, said on Sunday the successful performance many had under pressure “helped the athletes understand what it’s like when it gets to the big stage”.
“It’s the model the Victoria Games pioneered”, he said.
Still, some local businesses were disappointed.
The basketball team moved into the athletes village the day after the opening ceremonies, so players didn’t march.
“It’s not what I was expecting it to be …”
Toronto has built several Olympic-grade venues including a pool and cycling velodrome for the Pan Am Games, which end Sunday.
It is now subject to approval from Toronto Mayor John Tory and the City Council, with Tory having spoken optimistically but declared that a final decision is not expected until after next month’s Parapan American Games here. The deadline to register interest is September 15. “I am officially declaring that I will use the full power of my office to lead and advocate for Toronto’s candidacy to hold the 2024 Olympic Games”, Aubut said during the Pan Am Games closing press conference.
“I had such an fantastic time”.
One roadblock is an existing vote by the city’s economic development committee to reject a bid for the 2024 Olympics.
“This is the right moment to talk about this”, said Aubut.
“The mayor of Toronto … knows what to do”, he said.
“I have my confidence in him”. Those medals confirm expectations ahead of Rio although numerous top athletes didn’t compete at Pan Ams because of world championships later this summer.
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Hamilton-born Nurse was chosen for her “fighting spirit” and for “how she represented the great success of Canada’s women and team sports”, the Canadian Olympic Committee said as they announced the 19-year-old is to be the flag-bearer.
