July 22, 2021
DAY SIXTEEN RECAP – AUGUST 8, 2021
Tokyo Summer Olympics wrap up
While no Saskatchewan athletes competed on Day 16, the final day of the Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo, Canada added one more medal to its total as track cyclist Kelsey Mitchell claimed gold in the women’s sprint.
The medal brought Canada’s total haul to 24 (seven gold, six silver and 11 bronze), the highest total since the boycotted 1984 Los Angeles Games where Canada won 44 medals.
The Closing Ceremony also took place on the final day with decathlete gold medallist and Olympic record setter Damian Warner having the honour of being Canada’s flag bearer.
Read the full Day 16 recap at Olympic.ca.
Saskatchewan results at a glance
Saskatchewan was represented at the Games by seven athletes, three coaches, two support staff and one official.
Jenny Gilbert picked up the lone medal for the group, winning bronze with the women’s softball team.
In other athlete results: Anicka Newell advanced to the women’s pole vault finals where she unfortunately recorded a no measure…swimmer Cole Pratt finished seventh in men’s 100-metre backstroke heats and did not advance to semifinals…the Canadian artistic swimming team, of which Kenzie Priddell was alternate, finished in sixth place overall…middleweight (75-kilogram) boxer Tammara Thibeault won her Round of 16 bout by a 4-1 split decision, but was defeated in the quarter-finals by unanimous decision…diver Rylan Wiens missed advancing to the semifinals by .10 points, finishing 19th in the men’s 10-m platform event preliminaries…swimmer Kelsey Wog finished seventh in her heat in the 100-m breaststroke heat and did not advance, however, she finished sixth in the 200-m breaststroke heat to qualify for the semifinals.
On the coaching front: Lisa Borgerson accompanied Canada’s lone shooting athlete at the Games, Lynda Kiejko, who finished 47th in the 10-m air pistol qualification round and 42nd in the 25-m air pistol qualification…Mary Carroll joined diver Rylan Wiens at the Games, who finished in 19th place in men’s 10-m platform…Lisa Thomaidis was at the helm of the Canadian women’s basketball team which finished the round robin with a 1-2 record and did not advance to quarterfinals.
For full results, visit cheeronsask.ca.
DAY FIFTEEN RECAP – AUGUST 7, 2021
Canadian artistic swimming team finishes sixth
After earning 91.4992 points in the technical routine on Day 14, the Canadian artistic swimming team picked up a score of 92.5333 points in Day 15’s free routine to give them a two-day total of 184.0325, good enough for a sixth-place finish.
Regina’s Kenzie Priddell attended the Games as an alternate for the team but did not compete with the team in either routine.
Read more on cbc.ca.
Olympic/Paralympic notes: Read the full Day 15 recap on Olympic.ca…Women’s canoe duo Laurence Vincent Lapointe and Katie Vincent earned bronze for Canada in the C2 500-metre event. It’s the first time the event has been included in a Games…Canada’s medal count is now at 23 (six gold, six silver, 11 bronze), setting a new record for total Canadian medals at a non-boycotted Summer Olympics. Canada earned 22 medals at the Rio 2016 and Atlanta 1996 Games. At the 1984 Los Angeles Games, which were boycotted by the Soviet Union and 13 other countries, Canada earned 44 medals.
DAY FOURTEEN RECAP – AUGUST 6, 2021
Wiens earns reserve spot
Pike Lake diver Rylan Wiens made his Olympic debut on Day 14 competing in the men’s 10-metre platform event finishing just out of automatic qualification in 19th place with 366.70 points.
The top 18 divers automatically advanced to Day 15’s semifinal. As the holder of the first reserve spot, there’s still potential for Wiens to compete in the semis if one of the original 18 qualifiers drops out.
Wiens is coached by Saskatoon’s Mary Carroll.
Read more on cbc.ca.
Canadian artistic swimming team finishes technical routine in fifth
With 91.4992 points in the Technical Routine, the Canadian artistic swimming team is sitting in fifth place ahead of the Free Routine scheduled for Day 15.
The Russian Olympic Committee currently holds first place with 97.2979 points.
Regina’s Kenzie Priddell is in Tokyo as an alternate for the Canadian team.
Read more on cbc.ca.
Olympic/Paralympic notes: Janine Beckie, who has ties to Saskatchewan, and the Canadian women’s soccer team captured gold, defeating Sweden 3-2 in penalty kicks after regulation and extra time ended with a 1-1 tie…Mohammed Ahmed earned Canada’s first ever silver medal in the men’s 5000-m race…Canada’s Evan Dunfee claimed bronze in the 50-kilometre racewalk event, which will not appear in future Olympic Games…Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney and Andre De Grasse combined their talents to earn bronze for Canada in the men’s 4×100-m event…Canada’s medal count is now at 22 (six gold, six silver, 10 bronze).
DAY THIRTEEN RECAP – AUGUST 5, 2021
Newell has rough day in pole vault final
Pole vaulter Anicka Newell, who calls Saskatoon her hometown, had a rough day on the field after tying for first place in qualification rounds.
The two-time Olympian missed clearing all three attempts at 4.50-metres to be eliminated from the competition.
For full pole vault results, visit Olympics.com.
Wiens, Priddell ready for competition
On Day 14, Pike Lake diver and four-time Sask Lotteries Future Best recipient Rylan Wiens will make his Olympic competition debut with the men’s 10-metre platform preliminary event. If he advances, both the semifinals and finals will take place on Day 15. The preliminary event is set for 12 a.m. (SK time)
The Canadian women’s artistic swimming team will get their first taste of action on Day 14 as they begin competition with the Team Technical Routine and will wrap up with the Team Free Routine on Day 15. Regina’s Kenzie Priddell is part of the team as an alternate.
Women’s soccer gold medal match moved
After concerns from the Canadian and Swedish women’s soccer teams related to heat, the gold medal match has been moved to 6 a.m. (SK time) on Day 15. The Canadian team includes Janine Beckie, whose parents have ties to Saskatchewan.
Olympic/Paralympic notes: Read the full Day 13 recap on Olympic.ca… Canada won three medals on Day 13 including the first-ever gold by a Canadian in the decathlon by Damian Warner. He also became just the fourth man to record over 9,000 points in the event… Laurence Vincent Lapointe won silver in the women’s canoe 200-metres and Lauriane Genest won bronze in the keirin, a track cycling event… Canada’s medal count is now at 18 (five gold, five silver and eight bronze).
DAY TWELVE RECAP – AUGUST 4, 2021
Saskatchewan athletes set to compete in final days
No Saskatchewan athletes competed on Day 12 of the Olympics in Tokyo, but the final athletes of the Saskatchewan contingent are prepping for their upcoming competitions.
Pole vaulter Anicka Newell, who calls Saskatoon her hometown, will be going for gold on Day 13. She advanced to finals after tying for first place in the qualification rounds.
On Day 14, Pike Lake diver Rylan Wiens will make his Olympic competition debut with the men’s 10-metre platform preliminary event. If he advances, both the semifinals and finals will take place on Day 15.
Wiens has been in Tokyo since Day 1 of the Games and was one of 30 athletes who took part in the Opening Ceremony. He’ll be joined in competition by Saskatoon coach Mary Carroll, who competed for Canada in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
The Canadian women’s artistic swimming team will get their first taste of action on Day 14 as they begin competition with the Team Technical Routine and will wrap up with the Team Free Routine on Day 15. Regina’s Kenzie Priddell is part of the team as an alternate.
Olympic/Paralympic notes: Read the full Day 12 recap on Olympic.ca…Andre De Grasse captured gold in the men’s 200-metre race —Canada’s first in 93 years— and set a new Canadian record with a time of 19.62 seconds…Canadians Damian Warner and Pierce LePage sit in first and third place, respectively, following Day One of the decathlon…Canada’s medal count is now at 15 (four gold, four silver and seven bronze).
DAY ELEVEN RECAP – AUGUST 3, 2021
No Saskatchewan athletes in action on Day 11
The majority of Saskatchewan’s Olympic contingent wrapped up their Games experience in the first 10 days of action in Tokyo, but there’s still more to look forward to.
Pike Lake diver Rylan Wiens and his coach Mary Carroll will open competition in the men’s 10-metre platform event with preliminaries on Day 14. If he advances to semifinals and potentially the finals, both of those events will be held on Day 15.
Pole vaulter Anicka Newell, who calls Saskatoon her hometown, tied for first in the qualification round of competition on Day 10 and has advanced to the finals which will be held on Day 13.
Regina’s Kenzie Priddell is in Tokyo as an alternate with the women’s artistic swimming team. They’ll begin competition with the Team Technical Routine on Day 14 and end on Day 15 with the Team Free Routine.
Olympic/Paralympic notes: Read the full Day 11 recap on Olympic.ca …Andre De Grasse broke his own Canadian record in the men’s 200-metre semifinal race with a time of 19.73 seconds, he’ll compete in the semifinal alongside fellow Canadian Aaron Brown…Gymnast Ellie Black finished fourth in the women’s beam final, a best-ever Olympic result for a Canadian in the event…Canada’s medal count remains at 14 (three gold, four silver and seven bronze).
DAY TEN RECAP – AUGUST 2, 2021
Newell advances to pole vault final
Tying for first place in the qualification round with a jump of 4.55-metres, Anicka Newell, who calls Saskatoon her hometown, has advanced to the women’s pole vault finals.
Newell is currently ranked 28th in the world and has a personal best jump of 4.70m.
The finals are scheduled for Thursday, August 5 at 05:20.
Canada’s playoff hopes dashed in women’s basketball
A 96-69 victory by Australia over Puerto Rico spelled the end of the Olympic journey in Tokyo for the Canadian women’s basketball and Saskatchewan-based head coach Lisa Thomaidis.
Canada finished third in their group and needed the Australians to win by less than 24 to advance to the quarter-finals as one of the top two third-ranked teams. The 27-point victory by Australia eliminated that possibility.
Olympic/Paralympic notes: Read the full Day 10 recap on Olympic.ca…Janine Beckie, who has ties to Saskatchewan, and the Canadian women’s soccer team defeated Team USA in the women’s soccer semifinal and will play Sweden for gold on Thursday…Canada’s medal count remains at 14 (three gold, four silver, seven bronze)
DAY NINE RECAP – AUGUST 1, 2021
Canadian women’s basketball in wait and see mode
The Canadian women’s basketball team – headed by Saskatchewan-based coach Lisa Thomaidis – dropped its final game of pool play 76-66 to Spain on Day 9 to finish 1-2.
Canada will now wait and see if they advance to the quarter-final round. In the Olympic tournament, teams that place first and second in each group and the two best third-placed teams in group play qualify for the playoff rounds. A variety of scenarios involving the remaining games could determine whether Canada advances.
“Certainly not the outcome we were looking for and now we’ll have to sit back and wait,” said Thomaidis in a Canada Basketball release. “We wanted to take matters into our own hands. We won two of four quarters [against Spain] and unfortunately we just dug ourselves into too big of a hole to get out of.”
Read more at basketball.ca.
Olympic/Paralympic notes: Read the full Day 9 recap at Olympic.ca… Canada won two bronze medals on Day 9 including Andre de Grasse repeating as bronze medallist in the 100-metre dash and in the women’s individual medley relay women’s swimming… The last time the Tokyo hosted the Summer Games in 1964, a Canadian also won the bronze medal in the 100-metres – Harry Jerome of Prince Albert… Canada’s medal count is now at 14 (three gold, four silver and seven bronze).
DAY EIGHT RECAP – JULY 31, 2021
Thibeault drops boxing quarter-final
Tammara Thibeault’s medal hopes came to an end after losing in a unanimous decision after a close fight in the women’s middleweight quarter-final to the Netherlands’ Nouchka Fontijn on Day 8 at the Tokyo Olympics.
Thibeault won the first round before Fontijn, the reigning Olympic silver medallist and three-time silver medallist at the world championships, came from behind to earn four scores of 29-28 and one of 30-27.
Read more at CBC Olympics.
Olympic/Paralympic notes: Read the full Day 8 recap at Olympic.ca… Kylie Masse won Canada’s lone medal on Day 8 with a silver in the 200-metre backstroke… Canada’s medal count is now at 12 (three gold, four silver and five bronze).
DAY SEVEN RECAP – JULY 30, 2021
Lisa Borgerson’s athlete finishes 42nd
Competition wrapped up for Rockglen coach Lisa Borgerson at the Olympics as her athlete Lynda Kiejko —Canada’s lone shooting athlete—finished the women’s 25-metre air pistol qualifier round in 42nd place.
Kiejko’s 283 points earned in Day 7’s Rapid round were added to her 281 points in Day 6’s Precision round for a grand total of 564.
Olympic/Paralympic notes: Read the full Day 7 recap at Olympic.ca…Janine Beckie, who has ties to Saskatchewan, and the Canadian women’s soccer team advanced to the semifinals after defeating Brazil in penalty kicks…The Canadian women’s eight-woman rowing crew earned Canada its third gold medal…Canada’s medal count is now at 11 (three gold, three silver and five bronze).
DAY SIX RECAP – JULY 29, 2021
Canada gets in women’s basketball win column
Canada’s senior women’s national basketball team – led by Saskatchewan-based head coach Lisa Thomaidis – improved to 1-1 at the Tokyo Olympic Games after cruising past the Republic of Korea 74-53 on Day 6 of competition.
The red and white used a balanced attack with three players in double digit scoring and nine players on the scoreboard. Bridget Carleton led the Canadians in scoring with 18-points, seven rebounds, four assists and a block shot, while Nathalie Achonwa recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. She also added a team-high five assists.
“We certainly have a lot of respect for Korea, having played Spain so tightly a few days ago they had our attention,” said Thomaidis post-game in a Canada Basketball release. “They’re such a quick, dynamic team and [they] are a lot to defend [against].”
Canada never trailed in the game but Korea kept it tight through the first half with Canada leading by just five points at 33-28. In the fourth, Canada outscored Korea 25-14 to run away with the game. The Canadians also outrebounded Korea 54-32, including 22-9 on the offensive glass to outscored their opponents 15-6 in second chance opportunities.
Next up, Canada will take on Spain in group phase action on Day 8 at 7 p.m. (SK time), streaming live and free on CBC Gem.
Read more at basketball.ca
Wog competes in semifinal
Swimmer Kelsey Wog competed in the 200-metre breaststroke semifinal. The Regina-born athlete did not advance.
For full results, visit the official Olympics website.
Borgerson’s athlete competes in 25-metre air pistol qualifications
Rockglen coach Lisa Borgerson and Canada’s lone shooting athlete Lynda Kiejko competed in the 25-metre air pistol precision qualifications. Kiejko is 41st after an average scored of 9.367 in precision. Qualification continues on Day 7 with rapid qualifications.
For full results, visit the official Olympics website.
Olympic/Paralympic notes: Read the full Day 6 recap on Olympic.ca… Saskatoon’s Michael Linklater, a former world-ranked 3×3 basketball player and champion with the Saskatchewan Rattlers and University of Saskatchewan Huskies, made his debut as analyst for the sport at the Olympics on CBC… Caileigh Filmer and Hillary Janssens won Canada’s first medal of the Olympic rowing regatta with a bronze in women’s pair, the first medal in the event since Barcelona in 1992… Canada’s No. 1 ranked beach volleyball duo Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes finished atop their pool to advance to the Round of 16… Canada’s medal total is now at 10 (two gold, three silver, five bronze).
DAY FIVE RECAP – JULY 28, 2021
Thibeault advances to quarter-finals with split decision victory
Tammara Thibeault is heading to the quarter-finals after defeating Kazakhstan’s Nadezhda Ryabets by 4-1 split decision on Day 5 of the Olympics in Tokyo.
Thibeault, who is competing in the 75-kilogram middleweight division, used her reach to her advantage, keeping her opponent at a distance for the majority of the bout and hitting Ryabets with power punches when she did make it inside.
Next up, Thibeault will take on the Netherland’s Nouchka Fontijn on Day 7 at approximately 10:24 p.m. (SK time).
Read more at cbc.ca.
Olympic/Paralympic notes: Read the full Day 5 on Olympic.ca…21-year-old swimmer Penny Oleksiak became the most decorated Canadian Summer Olympian after winning her sixth medal— a bronze in the women’s 200-metre freestyle— and is now tied with Olympic speedskater Cindy Klassen and dual-Games athlete in speedskating and cycling Clara Hughes…Gymnast Ellie Black withdrew from the all-around competition due to injury…Canada’s medal total is now at nine (two gold, three silver, four bronze).
DAY FOUR RECAP – JULY 27, 2021
Canadian softball team wins bronze, makes history
A 3-2 victory over Mexico on Day 4 earned the Canadian softball team, including Saskatoon’s Jenny Gilbert, a bronze medal — the country’s first in the sport at the Olympics.
Emma Entzminger got Canada on the board in the second inning, scoring a pair of RBIs to give the red and white a 2-0 lead. Mexico then added a single in the third inning to cut the lead to one.
After a scoreless fourth inning, Canada and Mexico each picked up a single in the fifth to make the score 3-2. That score carried through to the seventh inning, where three quick outs —one ground out and two strikeouts— secured the victory for the Canadians.
Canadian pitcher Danielle Lawrie —who recorded the win in the bronze-medal game— and infielder Jennifer Salling retired from the national team following the game. Both played for Canada at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the last time the sport was included in the Games.
Softball has been included in the Olympics five times and was selected as a feature sport for Japan for 2020 Tokyo. It will not be a part of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
Read more on softball.ca.
Olympic/Paralympic notes: Read the full Day 4 recap at Olympic.ca…Janine Beckie, who has ties to Saskatchewan, and the women’s Canadian soccer team will take on Brazil in the quarterfinals…Regina soccer official received her second assignment at the Olympics …Regina’s Frank Gaudet has been selected as a coach for the Canadian Paralympic badminton team for Tokyo…Canada won four medals on Day 4, bronze in softball, Maude Charron won gold in women’s 64-kilogram weightlifting, Kylie Masse won silver in women’s 100-metre backstroke and Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard won bronze in the women’s judo 63-kilogram division.
DAY THREE RECAP – JULY 26, 2021
Canada finishes softball round robin with 8-1 victory over Italy
The Canadian softball team knew they’d be playing for bronze no matter the outcome of their final round robin game on Sunday, but that didn’t stop them for turning in a dominant 8-1 victory over Italy.
After a scoreless first inning, Saskatoon’s Jenny Gilbert hit a solo home run deep to centre field to give Canada the 1-0 lead.
Both teams scored singles in the third inning to make the score 2-1, where it remained until the fifth inning.
The red and white came out strong in the fifth inning, picking up three runs themselves and held the Italians to no runs to take a commanding 5-1 lead. The actions were repeated in the sixth inning, after which the mercy rule was used, giving Canada the 8-1 win.
The Canadians ended round robin play with a 3-2 record and third place in the standings. Their only losses came in the form of 1-0 defeats against the United States and Japan —who will face each other for gold. The Canadians also only allowed four runs against in the entire tournament.
Canada will take on Mexico —who they previously defeated 4-0 in the round robin — in the bronze medal game on Monday night at 10 p.m. (SK time). The game is scheduled to be streamed on CBC Gem and available to watch on Sportsnet or Sportsnet One. Potential bad weather in Japan may force the game to be rescheduled.
Learn more at softball.ca.
Canadian women’s basketball team loses opener to Serbia 72-68
After fighting back from an eight-point deficit at halftime to tie the game 45-45 after three quarters, the Canadian women’s basketball team —led by Saskatchewan-based head coach Lisa Thomaidis— narrowly lost their opening Olympic game 72-68 to Serbia.
“We want to win every game we play,” head coach Lisa Thomaidis told Basketball Canada after the game. “I thought we had a slow start and got things turned around in the second half, built a lead and then couldn’t put them away. We know they can hit clutch threes and they did that at the right time. We did a lot of really solid things [in the game]. We turned them over 28 times, I was really happy with that, but at the end of the day we’re still disappointed in the loss.”
The Serbs outscored the Canadians 16-13 in the first quarter, 20-15 in the second and 27-23 in the fourth, while Canada won the third quarter 17-9.
Nirra Fields led the red and white with 19 points, followed closely by Kia Nurse with 16. Sonja Vasic led Serbia with 16 points.
Next up, Canada will face the Republic of Korea on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. (SK time) and will be streamed on CBC Gem.
In this year’s Olympic basketball tournament, the top two teams for each of the three groups advance to the quarter-finals, as well as the two third-place teams across all three groups with the best records.
Learn more at basketball.ca.
Olympic/Paralympic Notes: Full Day 3 recap visit, Olympic.ca …Canada earned their first gold and bronze medals of the Games as swimmer Maggie Mac Neil won the women’s 100-metre butterfly and Jessica Klimkait became the first Canadian woman to medal in judo at the Olympics with her bronze-medal performance in the 57-kilogram event…all three medals in the women’s skateboarding street event were won by athletes 16 and under, including the gold which was won by 13-year-old Momiji Nishiya of Japan, making her the youngest individual Olympic champion…bad weather in Japan is causing some outdoor events to be rescheduled…
DAY TWO RECAP – JULY 25, 2021
Canadian softball suffers extra inning heartbreaking loss to Japan
Japan scored the game’s lone run with an extra inning walk off single in the bottom of the eighth to dash Canada’s hopes of playing in the gold medal match Saturday.
The red and white drops to 2-2 with the loss, while the No. 2 ranked Japan moves to 4-0 to equal the top ranked USA. Despite the loss, Canada clinched a spot in the bronze medal game ahead of its final round robin game against Italy at 11:30 p.m. (SK time) Sunday. Canada’s opponent is yet to be determined. The US and Japan will play for gold.
Canada has never won a softball medal at the Games but finished fourth in 2008 in Beijing. The group has only given up three runs in round robin play.
Read more about the game at sotball.ca.
Pratt competes in heats
Swimmer Cole Pratt competed in one of six heats for the 100-metre men’s backstroke event. The Regina-born athlete finished seventh in the heat in a time of 54.27 and did not qualify for the semifinal of the event.
For full heat results, visit the official Olympics website.
Borgerson’s athlete competes in 10-metre air pistol
Rockglen coach Lisa Borgerson and Canada’s lone shooting athlete Lynda Kiejko competed in the 10-metre air pistol Saturday. Kiejko finished 47th in qualification with a score of 558. Kiejko will also compete in the 25-metre events. For detailed results, visit the official Olympics website.
Olympic/Paralympic notes…Read the full Canadian Day 2 recap at Olympic.ca… Canada won a pair of silver medals on Day 2 in the 4X100-metre freestyle women’s swimming relay and the 3-metre synchro diving…
DAY ONE RECAP – JULY 24, 2021
Canadian softball team triumphs over Australia, improves to 2-1
Australia scored a single run in the top of the first inning, but it was the only time they made their way back successfully to home plate as Canada won Friday’s softball game 7-1.
The red and white put their bats to good use in the bottom of the first inning, picking up three runs, to take an early 3-1 lead. They followed that up with another three runs in the second inning to increase their lead to 6-1.
Canada scored their final run of the game in the fourth inning.
On the defensive side, Canada recorded six strikeouts to Australia’s one and held the team from down under to six hits. Saskatoon outfielder Jenny Gilbert recorded two put outs in the game.
With the win, Canada improves to a 2-1 record and sole possession of third place in the rankings. Next up, they’ll face 3-0 Japan on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. (SK time), which can be watched on CBC Gem. They’ll end round robin play on Sunday night with against Italy.
Read more about the game at softball.ca.
Olympic/Paralympic notes…Read the full Canadian Day 1 recap at Olympic.ca[JL4] … CTV Regina reporter Claire Hanna debuted as a play-by-play commentator for women’s beach volleyball… Janine Beckie, whose parents lived in Saskatchewan, scored both Canadian goals in the teams 2-1 win over Chile… the first medals of the Games were awarded on Friday in women’s 10-metre rifle during a self-serve ceremony…Saskatchewan coach Lisa Borgerson and her athlete Lynda Kiejko will compete on Saturday in women’s 10-metre air pistol, beginning at 6 p.m. (SK time) on CBC Gem.
Learn more at cheeronsask.ca.
OPENING CEREMONY – JULY 23, 2021
Saskatchewan diver Rylan Wiens was one of 30 Canadian athletes to march in the opening ceremony for the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
Wiens, from Pike Lake, will compete in the 10-metre platform event starting Aug. 6. At the opening ceremony, he joined Canadian flag bearers Miranda Ayim from women’s basketball and Nathan Hirayma, co-captain of the men’s rugby seven’s team, as well as athletes from badminton, canoe slalom, BMX, fencing, shooting, skateboarding, tennis and weightlifting. Six mission staff members also marched in the ceremony.
On Day 1 of competition (July 23 overnight in Saskatchewan), Saskatoon’s Jenny Gilbert and the Canadian softball team will meet Australia in the third round robin game at 7 p.m. (SK time).
Olympic/Paralympic Notes: Canadian rowers competed in heats overnight on July 22. All three boats — Trevor Jones in men’s single sculls, Carling Zeeman in women’s double sculls and Gabrielle and Jessica Sevick in women’s double skulls — moved on to the next round. Rowing continues on Day 1…
Learn more at cheeronsask.ca
BEFORE OPENING CEREMONIES – JULY 22, 2021
Gilbert and Canadian softball team split first two games
Softball made its return to the Olympics on Wednesday and Team Canada, including Saskatoon outfielder and pitcher Jenny Gilbert, celebrated the occasion with a 4-0 win over Mexico in their first round robin game.
A pair of RBIs in the first inning gave the red and white an early 2-0 lead. Single RBIs in the third and fourth innings increased Canada’s lead to four, where it would remain for the rest of the game.
Defensively, Canada limited the Mexicans to two hits in the game, had six strikeouts and prohibited those runners who did get on base from advancing past second base.
Unfortunately, Canada wasn’t able to continue their winning ways in their second game, dropping a close 1-0 game to the United States on Wednesday evening.
Neither team managed to make it around the bases in the first four innings, but a hit to right field in the top of the fifth inning brought home a runner for the United States to give the team a 1-0 lead.
Canada came close to scoring in the sixth inning with two outs and runners on both the second and third bases, but a strikeout ended the inning. In the bottom of the seventh and final inning, the Americans secured their victory with three straight outs —one strikeout, a grounded out and a pop up— to end the game.
The Canadians are now 1-1 in the standings, sitting tied for third place with Australia, behind the United States and Japan, which are both 2-0 and ahead of the 0-2 Mexican and Italian teams.
All six teams will play each other in round robin play. At the end of that stage, the top two teams will advance to the gold medal final, while the third and fourth place teams will battle for bronze.
Next up for Canada will be the Australians on Friday, July 23 at 7 p.m. (SK time). You can stream the game live on CBC Gem.
Read more about both of Canada’s games at softball.ca.
Olympic/Paralympic Notes: The Opening Ceremony will be Friday morning at 5 a.m. (SK time) and can be streamed on CBC Gem or watched live on CBC, all TSN networks, as well as Sportsnet and Sportsnet One…Melfort’s Julie Kozun was selected as one of 11 players to represent Canada in women’s sitting volleyball at the Tokyo Paralympics…Brisbane, Australia was selected as the host for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.