Are you watching the Olympic games hosted in Tokyo? If so, stay tuned for all the local athletes from Ottawa competing in the summer games, Tokyo 2020. The summer Olympics begin on July 23rd and run until August 8th. Show your spirit Ottawa and tune into these athletes as they compete to make your city proud.
Alicia Brown, 31
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Sport: Women’s 4×400-metre relay
Alicia is an athlete who has dreamed of competing in the Olympic games since a young age. Finally, this dream has come to life as Tokyo 2020 will be her second Olympic summer games. Previously Alicia ran in the second leg of the 4x400m relay team in Rio in which she finished fourth. This is Canada’s best result in this event since Barcelona 1992. We can’t wait to watch Alicia hopefully set a new record in Tokyo 2020.
Kelleigh Ryan, 34
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Sport: Fencing
Kelleigh Ryan has been a member of Team Canada for a decade. She contributed to a team foil gold at the Pan American Games in Toronto 2015. She was a support team member and travelled to Rio in 2016 when Canada qualified for only one Olympic spot for a female foil fencer. Ryan now has her moment to shine at Tokyo 2020!
Bailey Andison, 23
Hometown: Smith Falls, Ont.
Sport: Swimming
Bailey is from a small town located just outside of Ottawa and is vying for another medal in her 200m individual swimming medley. She first represented Team Canada at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima where she won bronze in the 200m individual medley.
Gabriela Dabrowski, 29
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Sport: Tennis
Gabriela Dabrowski competed in Rio 2016 in women’s doubles alongside Eugenie Bouchard. She has won gold medals in women’s doubles with Carol Zhao at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto and a silver medal in mixed doubles with Philip Bester. We hope to see Dabrowski take home a medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games!
Lauren Gale, 21
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Sport: Athletics- Women’s 4×400- metre relay
Lauren is a young Canadian athlete competing in her first Olympic games- Tokyo 2020. Her Olympic dream began when she represented Canada at the Youth Commonwealth Games. What an accomplishment at such a young age, Good luck Lauren!!
Brooke Henderson, 23
Hometown: Smith Falls, Ont.
Sport: Golf
Brooke Henderson is a local athlete that is consistently making history! She carries a record for most professional wins by any Canadian golfer. Henderson was Canada’s top golfer in the sport’s return to the Olympic Games after 112 years. She finished in a tie for seventh at Rio 2016. She continues to set milestones for Canadian golfing while playing the sport she loves!
Cam Smedley, 30
Hometown: Dunrobin, Ont.
Sport: Canoe-Kayak- Slalom
Cam Smedley is Ottawa-born and ready to compete in his second Olympic games. He represented Canada in Rio 2016, where he finished 15th, missing the advancement to the C-1 semi-final by just one spot. He clinched an Olympic spot for Canada at the 2019 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships. Following this, he came fifth in the Tokyo 2020 test event.
Eugene Wang, 35
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Sport: Table Tennis
Eugene Wang was born in China; however, received his Canadian citizenship in 2012. Weeks later, Eugene represented Canada at the Summer Games in London 2012. Fast forward three years and Eugene received two bronze medals from the Pan American Games in Toronto. He also had the opportunity to attend Rio 2016, where he was Canada’s sole male representative in table tennis. In addition, he won two medals at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima. Be sure to keep an eye out for Eugene.
Derek Gee, 23
Hometown: Osgoode, Ont.
Sport: Cycling- Track
Born and residing in Ottawa, Derek Gee is ready to take his passion for cycling to Tokyo. At the 2019 Pan American Championships, Gee won gold in the team pursuit, he broke out of a three-way tie for first in the latter during the final portion of the event. This is a very big moment for Gee as it is his first Olympics. Let’s show him the support he needs Ottawa!!!
Melissa Bishop-Nriagu, 32
Hometown: Eganville, Ont.
Sport: Athletics- 800 metres
Born in Ottawa, Melissa will be participating in her third Olympic games. She was able to set a new Canadian record and finished fourth in the 800m final at the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. Melissa now has one more person supporting her, her daughter, which she took a break from competing to give birth to in 2018. Melissa is ready to get back to the Olympic stadium.
Michael Tayler, 29
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Sport: Canoe-Kayak- Slalom
Tokyo 2020 will be Michael’s third Olympic Games. He has competed in London 2012 and Rio 2016. In London 2012 he claimed Canada’s lone canoe-kayak slalom spot. At Rio 2016, he placed 16th, meaning that he missed advancing to the semi-final by one spot.
Erica Wiebe, 32
Hometown: Stittsville, Ont.
Sport: Wrestling
Rio 2016 gold medalist- Erica Wiebe, is hoping to take her success to Tokyo 2020. She has made history as one of only three Canadian women to win an Olympic medal in wrestling for Canada. Let’s cheer Wiebe on in Tokyo 2020 to bring home another gold!
Madeline Schmidt, 26
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Sport: Canoe- kayak sprint
Madeline is competing in her first Olympic games; however, she started canoeing at the age of 8. She has represented Canada internationally at the 2011 World Junior Championships. She was very successful; however, took a break to prioritize her mental health. She has since returned with the support of family, friends, and coaches and is ready to tackle Tokyo 2020!
Michael Foley, 22
Hometown: Milton, Ont.
Sport: Cycling- Track
Born in Ottawa, Foley will be competing in his first Olympic games. Prior to competing in his first Olympics, Foley won two gold medals in the team pursuit and points race at the 2019P an American Championships.
Michael Woods, 34
Hometown: Ottawa, Ont.
Sport: Cycling- Road
Woods competed in Rio 2016 and is now competing in his second Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020. He made Canadian history in the road race at the 2018 UCI Championships. In 2019, he participated in the Tour de France; however, he left the 2021 Tour de France to direct his attention towards the Tokyo Olympics.
Jillian Weir is a hammer throw athlete who will be competing for Canada in Tokyo 2020. She is proud to not only represent Canada but her Mohawk lineage. Be sure to check out our article on her to learn more about how she hopes to inspire Indigenous youth!
Ottawa, now is your time to show your spirit as these athletes need you more than ever! There is nothing like having the support of your country as you compete for medals with top athletes from around the world. Let’s come together and support these local athletes in the sporting event of the summer. Best of luck to everyone representing Team Canada!