Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympics | |
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IOC code | CAN |
NOC | Canadian Olympic Committee |
Website | www |
in Rio de Janeiro | |
Competitors | 314 in 27 sports |
Flag bearers | Rosie MacLennan (opening)[1] Penny Oleksiak (closing) |
Medals Ranked 20th |
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Summer Olympics appearances (overview) | |
Other related appearances | |
1906 Intercalated Games |
Canada competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from August 5 to August 21, 2016. Since the nation's debut in 1900, Canadian athletes had appeared in every edition of the Summer Olympic Games, with the exception of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow because of the country's support for the United States-led boycott. The chef de mission was Curt Harnett, appointed in April 2016 after Jean-Luc Brassard, the original chef de mission, resigned his position.[2][3]
A total of 314 athletes, 128 men and 186 women over 27 sports (all of the Olympic sports except handball), represented the country, an increase of 37 athletes from 2012.[4] The team contained 98 coaches and 107 support staff (such as doctors and physiotherapists among others).[5] Originally, 312 athletes were named to the team, however two male athletes were added in kayaking on July 29, 2016 following the suspension of Russian athletes, thus bringing the total to 314.[6] Canada qualified five squads in team sports, matching the record high from 1984.[7] Canada's official goal (set by Own the Podium) for these games were at least 19 medals of any colour (an improvement of one or more from 2012), and a top 12 finish in terms of overall medals won.[8] Canada left the games with 22 medals (ranked in the top ten in terms of overall medals), which matched the total from the 1996 Games in Atlanta, the previous high for a non-boycotted games. Canadian athletes were paid for medals earned. Gold medallists earned $20,000; silver medallists were paid $15,000; and bronze medallists $10,000, coming from the Athlete Excellence Fund.[9]
Rosie MacLennan, trampoline gymnast who had left the 2012 Games as the sole Canadian to win gold, was honored as Canada's flagbearer at the opening ceremony.[1] Swimmer Penny Oleksiak broke the country's Olympic record for most medals (4) won by a single Canadian athlete in any Summer Olympic Games, as well as becoming the youngest ever Canadian gold medallist.[10] At the end of the Games, she was appointed as the flagbearer for the team at the closing ceremony, becoming Canada's youngest flag-bearer in Olympic history.[11]
The Canadian team includes 98 coaches and 107 support staff.[permanent dead link]