Canada's Track Record
Canadian rowers had an impressive medal haul at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta with five medals, including a gold and two silver and bronze. The 2000 Games in Sydney produced a bronze and the 2004 Games in Athens a silver. In canoe and kayak, Canada's best showing was in Los Angeles in 1984 with medals earned in six events. Carolyn Brunet is the most successful athlete to date, winning two silver and a bronze in her three appearances at the Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004).
Van Koeverden wants another trip to podium
July 26, 2008
He was the Canadian poster boy of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
The image of Adam van Koeverden crossing the finish line, his left arm raised in the air with his index finger extended in a 'No. 1' symbol and mouth wide open letting out a wail of celebration, was iconic in this country.
The kayak star had just earned a gold medal with a first in the K1 500m. Obviously, the athletes representing Canada in rowing, canoeing and kayaking this time around seek that same kind of exposure.
Van Koeverden leads a strong contingent of athletes into the Beijing Games that are legitimate contenders for a podium finish.
The Oakville resident is favoured to repeat his gold-medal winning performance of four years ago. The 26-year-old is the reigning world and Olympic champion in the 500m, won silver in the 1000m at last year's worlds and bronze in the same event at the 2004 Olympics.
He expects nothing less of himself than to duplicate those medal-winning performances.
"Having been to the Olympics once, I sort of know what to expect," he said. "For the most part, racing in the Olympics and World Championships is very similar in terms of the competition and environment."
His own Olympic dream started following the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia when he watched success enjoyed by gold-medallists Simon Whitfield in triathlon and wrestler Daniel Igali. Both were a great inspiration.
"To say I'm in that great company is a good feeling," said van Koeverden.
For the first time Canada will race in all 12 sprint canoe and kayak races at the Olympic Games.
The Canadian rowing team will be looking to improve on the lone silver medal it won in men's coxless fours at Athens four years ago.
At the moment, Canada's top boat is the men's eight, which may just be the fastest boat in the world. The world champion crew will attempt to better their fifth-place finish from Athens.
The lightweight men's four is a strong contender, finishing fourth in a tight race at last year's World Championships, while the women's quad sculls finished fifth at the tournament.