The University of British Columbia is well-represented at Rio de Janeiro 2016 as a total of 29 student athletes are competing in the Olympic and Paralympic events under the banner of Team Canada.
In fact, the size of the delegation, comprised of both current students and alumnus, is a record for not just UBC but also any Canadian university at an Olympic Games. A total of 27 athletes will compete in the Olympics, mainly in the Swimming, Men’s Field Hockey, and Track and Field events, while another two athletes are part of the Wheelchair Rugby team that will compete in the Paralympics in September.
Seventeen coaches and support medical staff with a connection to the university are also in Rio mentoring and assisting Canadian athletes.
See also
- 68 British Columbians to compete in Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics
- Canadian Olympic swimmer Santo Condorelli shows middle finger to dad before every race
- Where to watch the Rio Olympics in Vancouver
- What it takes to feed a Canadian Olympic athlete
In contrast, UBC sent 14 athletes and 11 coaches and support staff to the London Olympics and Paralympics four years ago.
Beginning with the first medal at the Los Angeles 1932 Games, UBC athletes have won a total of 66 Olympic medals, including 19 gold, 22 silver, and 25 bronze. The university’s student athletes are best known for rowing as 73 UBC athletes have won 45 Olympic medals in the sport.
The Canadian Olympic Committee has sent 314 Olympic athletes to compete in 37 sports. This includes 68 athletes with a hometown in British Columbia and 128 athletes either training in British Columbia or receiving supporting services from various sporting organizations.
UBC athletes at Rio 2016
- David Carter – Men’s Field Hockey
- Taylor Curran – Men’s Field Hockey
- Gordon Johnston – Men’s Field Hockey
- Ben Martin – Men’s Field Hockey
- Mark Pearson – Men’s Field Hockey
- Keegan Pereira – Men’s Field Hockey
- Matt Sarmento – Men’s Field Hockey
- Scott Tupper – Men’s Field Hockey
- Hillary Janssens – Rowing
- Max Lattimer – Rowing
- Lauren Wilkinson – Rowing
- Nikola Girke – Sailing
- Luke Ramsey – Sailing
- Yuri Kisil – Swimming
- Martha McCabe – Swimming
- Emily Overholt – Swimming
- Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson – Swimming
- Markus Thormeyer – Swimming
- Maria Bernard – Track and Field
- Lucas Bruchet – Track and Field
- Evan Dunfee – Track and Field
- Elizabeth Gleadle – Track and Field
- Iñaki Gomez – Track and Field
- Mike Mason – Track and Field
- Ben Thorne – Track and Field
- Jamie Broder – Women’s Beach Volleyball
- Blair Bann – Men’s Volleyball
- Byron Green – Wheelchair Rugby
- Travis Murao – Wheelchair Rugby
My #someday is finally here!!!! 48 hours until I compete at the Olympic Games!! @RBC pic.twitter.com/wxTd3N3QE5
— Emily Overholt (@overholtemily) August 4, 2016
Komak has to sleep in the village alone tonight, I’m off to the beach! I’ll be back tomorrow buddy! ✌️#TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/ZLQwo2md6d
— Jamie Broder (@JamieBroder) August 4, 2016
It may be blurry, but I think this selfie conveys the emotion of the night..pure joy! #rio2016 #facehurtsfromsmiling pic.twitter.com/qFGbr0rgC8
— Jamie Broder (@JamieBroder) August 6, 2016
Opening Ceremonies was the realization of a dream. Now it’s 1 more day before we start competition! #someday pic.twitter.com/DgyNTRKzAI
— Jamie Broder (@JamieBroder) August 6, 2016
We made it to Rio!!! 🍁🚣👏 All smiles after our flight with @AirCanada @cfroper15 @TeamCanada #RowtoRio pic.twitter.com/nOfvsDEu8X
— Maxwell Lattimer (@maxwellLattimer) August 2, 2016
Check out who made it to Rio!! Feeling the love and support from family and friends! #35Mstrong #StepUpStandTall pic.twitter.com/IULna7BIpQ
— Maxwell Lattimer (@maxwellLattimer) August 5, 2016
Thank you Brazil! That was unreal! @Rio2016_en @TeamCanada #StandUpStandTall #olympics pic.twitter.com/wBWM9hNCFu
— Mark Pearson (@Markajp19) August 6, 2016
Captain Bou @tups4 looking calm as ever in front of the @CBCOlympics @cbcsports cameras! #Rio2016 #CAN #hockey pic.twitter.com/JP74c0NQ6C
— Mark Pearson (@Markajp19) August 4, 2016
The #RedCaribou boys rolling through the village in style! Off to our last training before the big one against 🇩🇪! pic.twitter.com/TpbsNQi0LH
— Mark Pearson (@Markajp19) August 4, 2016