Eight wrestlers chosen to represent Canada

NIAGARA FALLS (June 22, 2016) – At an event adjacent to Niagara Falls, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Wrestling Canada Lutte officially unveiled the eight athletes nominated to represent Team Canada in wrestling at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games from August 5 to 21, 2016.

The eight athletes selected include: Jasmine Mian, Jillian Gallays, Michelle Fazzari, Danielle Lappage, Dorothy Yeats, Erica Wiebe, Korey Jarvis, and two-time Olympian Haislan Garcia.

Canada qualified two women’s weight classes (48kg, 63kg) at the Las Vegas UWW World Championships in September 2015. The remaining women’s weight classes (53kg, 58kg, 69kg, 75kg) as well as the men’s freestyle 125kg were qualified at the Pan Am continental qualifier in Frisco, Texas in March 2016. Most recently, the men’s freestyle 65kg weight class was qualified at the final global Olympic qualification event in Istanbul, Turkey in early May 2016.

The team is currently at a training camp at Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario where preparations include on-mat and off-mat physical training with a select group of international training partners from Germany, Finland, Latvia, Estonia and the United States. During this time, there will also be final Olympic planning, health status checks, one-on-one meetings with coaches and staff, as well as team bonding. The camp represents the last time the entire team will be together before they travel to Rio.

At Rio 2016, Canada expects to field a team of more than 315 athletes.

Wrestling Canada Lutte is the national sport governing body for Olympic style wrestling in Canada. Among its responsibilities, the association selects and prepares Canada’s teams that participate in international competitions including Continental Championships, World Championships and major multi-sport Games (ie. Olympic Games).

QUOTES

“The women’s team has been on this road to Rio together for the last 10 plus years. To go to Rio as a team of six women for the first time and for it to be with this group of women who have shaped who I am as a person is such an honour. The #sixpack is excited to show Canada the next generation of women’s wrestling.”

Erica Wiebe, Rio 2016 athlete

“I am so extremely proud of each and every one of these athletes. It takes complete dedication to be competing at the level of these eight wrestlers and they will undoubtedly be a force on the mats. A special shout out to all of the coaches and support staff for helping their athlete to reach this goal. Congratulations.”

Carol Huynh, Rio 2016 Team Canada Assistant Chef de Mission, two-time Olympic medallist, Wrestling

“Our wrestlers heading to Rio have fought hard for their opportunity to represent wrestling and Canada on the largest stage. With a Canadian wrestler represented in all women’s weight classes, the #sixpack is shooting for the best team performance in the history of our women’s program and we anticipate best performances by our men.”

Tamara Medwidsky, Wrestling Canada Lutte Executive Director

“Congratulations to our wrestlers named to Team Canada. As you represent your country in Brazil, know that you’re an inspiration for all the young wrestlers at home from coast to coast to coast. Wrestling Canada Lutte has done an outstanding job of preparing our athletes for the mats in Rio.”

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities

The wrestling team which will represent Canada at Rio 2016 includes:

Athletes:

Coaches:

Prior to being named to the final Canadian Rio 2016 Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations.

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For more information:

Wrestling Canada Lutte

Patrick Kenny, Communications Officer
Tel: 613-295-7160
Email: [email protected]

Canadian Olympic Committee

Cherry Ye, Program Manager, Media Relations
Tel: 416-324-4123 / Cell: 416-427-4341
Email: [email protected]

Ricky Landry, Manager, Communications
Tel: 514-861-3696 / Cell: 514 229-4833
Email: [email protected]