This year’s Summer Olympics in Tokyo, which gets underway on July 23, will see a total of 371 Canadians compete, the highest number since 1984’s Los Angeles Olympics.
There’s never been a better time for the world to come together in support and celebration. We could all use a little something (or someone) to inspire, motivate and encourage us this summer, and the 2021 Olympic Games beginning with the Opening Ceremony on July 23 is the perfect excuse to rally together in a show of strength, resilience, and determination.
Ideally, you’ll be cheering on all 371 Canadians competing in this year’s events, but if you’re looking for some homegrown talent who will be repping the Six in a unique way, here are six GTA natives to root for during the 2021 Summer Olympics:
Penny Olesiak
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At the young age of 16, Penny Olesiak had an unparalleled first Olympic Games in Rio. Not only did she become the first Canadian ever to earn four medals during one Summer Olympics, tying her with Victor Davis as the country’s most successful swimmers of all time, but she was also the youngest Canadian in history to win gold.
Aaron Kingsley Brown
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Toronto relay racer Aaron Kingsley Brown has competed in two Olympic Games so far: London 2012 and Rio 2016, where he won a bronze medal in national record time. As the fourth man in the country to run 100 metres in under 10 seconds, he’s one of the top sprinters in Canada.
Charity Williams
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A graduate of Central Tech, Charity Williams started playing rugby at the age of 14, making the Women’s Maple Leafs roster just three years later at age 17. She scored a try during the first women’s Olympic rugby tournament in Rio, where the Canadian women’s team won bronze.
Heather Bansley
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Toronto resident Heather Bansley has been representing Canada in beach volleyball since 2007 when she played in the Junior World Championship. She and her partner Sarah Pavan earned a spot in fifth place in the 2016 Rio Olympics, and in 2019, Bansley and Brandie Wilkerson scored three gold medals during the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball World Tour.
Quinn
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At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Quinn was part of the Canadian women’s soccer team, helping them to earn a bronze medal. In September 2020, they came out as transgender in an Instagram post, encouraging cis people to be better allies for the trans community, and stepping forward as an advocate for the LGBTQI+ community.
Summer McIntosh
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At age 14, Summer McIntosh will be the youngest swimmer at this year’s Olympics, and likely the youngest Canadian athlete as well. She’s broken over 50 Canadian Age Group Records already, and she’s just getting started.