Swimming Canada announces 2024 Olympic team captains

Swimming Canada announces 2024 Olympic team captains

The Canadian swimming team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will consist of four team captains, selected by a vote of their teammates.

The group includes Kylie MasseFour-time Olympic medalist set to compete in third Games, second-time Olympians Marie-Sophie Harvey And Josh Liendoand a 32-year-old Olympic rookie Jeremy Bagshawa veteran of several other national teams.

“It’s very special and I feel like it’s even more special because my teammates voted,” said Masse, who won bronze in the women’s 100m backstroke at Rio 2016 and then silver as part of a three-medal haul in Tokyo three years ago.

“I hope to be their biggest support and be there for them in every way possible throughout the Games, before and after the Games.”

As team captains, Masse, Harvey, Bagshaw and Liendo will take on important leadership responsibilities to support their teammates in preparation for the Paris 2024 Games. Their duties include leading team-building activities, organizing swimmer meetings and acting as a liaison between swimmers and Swimming Canada management staff.

Masse said she wanted to create a “summer family” atmosphere where swimmers from various clubs, universities and centers come together to feel included in the national team.

“Good dynamics and connection between your team members can only lead to success and a great culture,” Masse said. “It’s about wanting the best for each other, helping each other out and pushing each other to new limits to achieve great things.”

Bagshaw, who made his senior national team debut at the Pan Am Games in Toronto in 2015, agreed with that sentiment.

“It’s cool to see that even though this is my first Olympics, the rest of the team and my peers see me as a leader of the team. Hopefully I can guide the team going to Paris and hopefully we can bring this team together and make it one of the most cohesive teams ever,” he said. “We want this team to be as cohesive as possible and that starts right from the training camp once everyone gets together (next week in Caen, France).”

Harvey said one of her roles is to be “the one in the prep rooms calming nerves.”

“Some swimmers get really nervous in the training room because it’s so serious, so I’m usually the person who helps calm things down. Like, ‘Listen, it’s a swim meet like any other, don’t get too excited,’” said Harvey, who won seven medals at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.

“I’ve been on the senior national team since 2017. I was the youngest on the team when I was younger, now I’m turning into a veteran,” she said. “I take this role very seriously, especially for the relays this year, we have a lot of new swimmers and young swimmers.

“It means a lot.”

High Performance Director and National Coach for Swimming Canada John Atkinson said it was important to work with the High Performance Athlete Advisory Council to develop the idea of ​​a team vote.

“Following this vote, we are delighted to announce our captains who will work closely with our management team during our preparation camp in Caen, Normandy and then throughout the Games on any relevant issues that may arise,” Atkinson said. “One of the captains’ main objectives will be to bring the team together, represent our team and have a say in how we work together. It is a great honour to be recognised by their peers and we look forward to working with our captains.”

The Paralympic team plans to announce its captains later this month.

— The above press release was issued by Swimming World in collaboration with Swimming CanadaFor press releases and advertising inquiries, please contact [email protected].