TWO MORE MEDALS FOR CANADA ON DAY 5 IN LONDON
Julia Wilkinson of Stratford, ON, races the 100 freestyle at the London Olympic Games Photo: Ian Macnicol/Swimming Canada
Photo 2: Julia Wilkinson of Stratford, ON, races the 100 freestyle at the London Olympic Games Photo: Ian Macnicol/Swimming Canada
LONDON, ENGLAND – The 2012 Canadian Olympic Team’s medal count grew by two medals in London today, for a total of six (1 silver, 5 bronze).
After missing the final in Beijing, Brent Hayden of Mission B.C. stepped up Wednesday night to find the podium in the 100m freestyle swimming final in a time of 47.80. The result marks a best-ever Olympic performance for Canada and the country’s sixth medal of the London 2012 Games.
“The best day of my life feels like the worst day of my life right now,” said Hayden. “I had the urge to kiss the starting block. I never knew I could love Lane 7 so much. I think tonight it was about just digging down deep, right into my soul. Emotionally and spiritually I had that extra push to get me beyond … it was all about finding my inner strength.”
Tobias Oriwol de Toronto races the 200 backstroke at the London Olympic games Photo: Ian Macnicol/Swimming Canada
The men’s eight rowing crew is back on the podium. The defending gold-medallist boat turned in an incredible performance Wednesday and captured a silver medal for Canada, fifth of the Games for Canada and first silver.
A late push through the last 500m put them in the silver spot, in a time of 5:49.98. Germany took gold with a time of 5:48.75, while Great Britain took bronze with a time of 5:51.18.
“The start was really clean and quick, and I just remember staying really internal and in our own boat,” said Robert Gibson. “The Germans are the cream of the crop and we didn’t want to get phased by their speed. We did everything.”
“An unreal race, we were so stoked,” said Doug Csima. “We executed our plan exactly and it was a great feeling rowing through the British in the last 250 metres. We’re happy.”
Photo 4: Tobias Oriwol de Toronto races the 200 backstroke at the London Olympic games Photo: Ian Macnicol/Swimming Canada
