MONTREAL (July 4, 2024) - Water Polo Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced the roster of Team Canada women’s water polo athletes nominated to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The 13 athletes are:
Verica Bakoc (Toronto, Ont.)
Serena Browne (Pointe-Claire, Que.)
Axelle Crevier (Montréal, Que.)
Jessica Gaudreault (Ottawa, Ont.)
Shae La Roche (Winnipeg, Man.)
Rae Lekness (Calgary, Alta.)
Elyse Lemay-Lavoie (Montréal, Que.)
Blaire McDowell (Fernie, B.C.)
Hayley McKelvey (North Delta, B.C.)
Maria Eleni (Marilia) Mimides (Glyfada, GRE & Toronto, Ont.)
Kindred Paul (Spruce Grove, Alta.)
Clara Vulpisi (Montréal, Que.)
Emma Wright (Whitby, Ont.)
Canada qualified for Paris 2024 following the 2024 World Aquatics Championships. Paris 2024 will mark the second Olympic Games for seven water polo athletes who previously competed at Tokyo 2020, while six athletes will make their Olympic debut. Eleven athletes were members of the silver medal-winning team at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games.
That includes Emma Wright, who is the team captain of the women's water polo squad.
‘’As a team we have been working very hard moving towards the Olympic Games,’’ said Wright. “We have made lots of strides as a team and are hoping to be able to show that at the Games. We are getting more and more excited as the days count down!’’
Axelle Crevier, Elyse Lemay-Lavoie, Hayley McKelvey, Kindred Paul, Shae La Roche, and goalkeeper Clara Vulpisi are also returning for their second Olympic Games. Lemay-Lavoie and McKelvey each scored seven goals apiece in Tokyo, while La Roche notched 10 goals and Crevier had eight.
Crevier is the daughter of Olympian Marie-Claude Deslières, who was on the first-ever Canadian women’s Olympic water polo team at Sydney 2000.
“The official selection of our team brings us closer to the beginning of the Olympic Games, said Axelle Crevier. We are very eager to begin the competition and are training tirelessly for Paris. In Paris, the atmosphere will definitely be different from Tokyo because we will have the chance to experience the Games with spectators, friends, and family.”
Paris 2024 will mark the fourth time since women’s water polo made its Olympic debut at Sydney 2000 that Canada will compete in the Olympic tournament. After participating in the first two women’s Olympic water polo tournaments at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, there was a long wait before Team Canada made its return at Tokyo 2020. The team’s best result was during the sport’s debut in Australia, where the Canadian women finished fifth.
“The upcoming participation of our women’s team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games is the culmination of years of efforts from all those involved in Water Polo Canada’s High Performance Program, says Water Polo Canada’s high performance director Olivier Pineau. All the Canadian water polo community is really proud of this team who had to overcome several obstacles and face many challenges to earn its spot at the Games and prepare for them. We are all looking forward to see this strong and resilient team shine brightly in a few weeks on the biggest international stage.”
Women’s water polo will take place from July 27 to August 11 (Day 1 to 16) at the Aquatics Centre and Paris La Defense Arena.
”Each of their games is a true aquatic battle where endurance, strategy, and teamwork are crucial, and Team Canada’s water polo athletes have pushed their limits to propel Canada towards Paris 2024. Always determined to reach new heights, they will proudly wear Canada's colours, ready to splash us with incredible moments,” said Bruny Surin, Team Canada chef de mission for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Team Canada’s women’s water polo team for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games also includes the following coaches and support staff:
Coaches
David Paradelo (Montreal, Que.) - Head Coach
Cora Campbell (Calgary, Alta.) - Assistant Coach
Stefano Posterivo (Padova, Italy) - Assistant Coach
Support Staff
Mitch Kaufman (Kitchener, Ont.) - Team Leader
Manon Prieur (Montreal Que.) - Massage Therapist
Brian Li (Montreal, Que.) - Physiotherapist
Nicolas Bourrel (Montreal, Que.) - Conditioning Coach
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organizations.
The latest Team Paris 2024 roster can be found here.
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