224 replies to this topic

[faster]

Well anyone who has been here awhile knew this was coming.
Canada won 18 medals in Beijing, after a disastrous first week in Beijing, the 2^nd week brought all the medals and a few surprises. Thankfully the schedule in London will provide a more consistent opportunity for Canada to medal compared to Beijing. With the middle weekend being the make-or-break for Canada taking a charge at the 22 medal record (I discount Los Angeles 1984 because other then aquatics those results for Canada are questionable).
Athletics
Canada has a few athletes to watch in Athletics. Lead by a consistent threat in the 100m hurdles by Priscilla Lopes-Schleip, Phylicia George and Perdita Felicien. Two Canadians should make the final, and a return to form should see Lopes-Schleip medal. But, I think Phylicia George is our strongest chance. The only other real candidate is Dylan Armstrong. Any re-production of recent form should see Armstrong win a medal, but it would be nice to see gold after 16 years. But like most throwing events there is 6 to 8 people on any given day that could medal.
Boxing
Mary Spencer failed to qualify at the World Championships and must now rely on AIBA and the IOC to give her an invitation to compete at the games. And even if she qualifies her performance at the World Championships suggest she is not as much of a medal threat as once initially thought.
Canoe/Kayak
Adam van Koeverden in the K1 1000m, Richard Dalton in the C1 200m and Mark Oldershaw in the C1 1000m. Unfortunately the K2 200m team didn’t qualify because of some BS quota rule despite being Pan American champion, so instead Argentina gets to go.
Cycling
Ryder Hesjedal has an outside chance at a medal in the time trial. The road race course has been designed to favour Mark Cavendish and therefore a sprint in general. Tara Whitten has a strong chance in the Omnium and the women’s time trial, and the Canadian Women’s Pursuit team is also a contender for a medal. Zack Bell is one of the favourites from a medal in the men’s Omnium. Catherine Prendel is a strong favourite in the women’s mountain biking and until about a month ago there was a Canadian man that was an outside chance in BMX, but injuries happened. Cycling is probably the most important sport for Canada if it wants to win more then 18 medals.

[intoronto]

Troy Nghaug is injured but isn't ruled out for the BMX races in London.

[Durban Sandshark]

The Canadian women's basketball team, currently ranked 11th in the FIBA World women's rankings, have a good shot at getting one of the five qualification spots in London from playing in Turkey soon.

[faster]

Speaking of cycling, the Olympics will probably not produce the greatest sporting achievement by a Canadian this year. Ryder Hesjedal is 31s behind the leader in the Giro d'Italia and if form holds, he should claim the Pink Jersey tomorrow, becoming the first Canadian to win a Grand Tour.

Diving
Canada has won a diving medal at every games since Atlanta 1996 and London should be no different. Jennifer Abel is a raising star in the 3m and will be a strong contender with partner Emilie Heymans in the 3m Synchro. Alexandre Despatie will also be a potential medalist in the 3m, while posing an outside chance in the 3m Synchro. Benefito and Filion also have a decent chance in the 10m Synchro and diving to their peak could also produce a bronze in the 10m. 2 medals is the goal, 3 is the hope from Diving Canada.

Equestrian
Canada won a surprise silver medal at the World Equestrian Games in Team Eventing and should be in contention for a medal in London, but given the youth and inexperience of the team, I am not expecting a medal. Eric Lamaze will always be a threat, but on a new horse who knows. Wouldn't be surprised but I doubt there will be an Equestrian medal this time around.

Edited by faster, 26 May 2012 - 09:29 PM.

[faster]

Gymnastics
Canada has 3 athletes that will challenge for a medal in London, Jason Burnett (who was robbed of the gold in Beijing) in men's trampoline who still has the advantage of the highest DD in the world and Karen Cockburn and Rosannagh MacLennan in women's trampoline. Cockburn is probably the Canadian I would most like to see win gold.

Rowing
Canada has qualified 7 boats, 4 of which have a good chance at a podium. Lead by the men's 8, which just set a world record, and the women's lightweight pairs. Women's 8, men's pairs and men's lightweight pairs are also medal possibilities (in decreasing order). A repeat of the success from Barcelona/Atlanta is achievable.

[intoronto]

What annoys me is Only one male cyclist will go to London, when countries like Iran send 3. Injustice right there. Same thing in Canoeing. BS quota distributions rob Canada.

[faster]

Canada has too many riders on the UCI Pro-tour that don't get into major events and therefore earn ranking points to qualify through the international qualification and the riders on the Americas tour are too weak to overcome the others. But I believe there will be some quota redistribution. And it doesn't matter, Canada has no sprinters so its not like anyone is going to be left out. Our best chance for a medal is going to be in London.

[faster]

Swimming
Martha McCabe and Ryan Cochrane are the biggest medal threats in the 200m breastroke and the 1500m respectively. Cochrane also has a good chance to get into the final of the 400m. If Sinead Russell and tera ven Belien continue their progression, they might progress themselves into finals and onto the podium. The women's 100m relay teams should also get into their respective finals and a finish between 3rd and 6th is expected. Brent Hayden is also an outside chance, but he just hasn't ever performed at the Olympic level. I believe Aquatics Canada wants 3 medals.

Synchronized Swimming
Canada was once a dominate power in this sport, but things have changed. They are targeting the team event and had some promising results last year in Shanghai. Russia and China will take Gold and Silver, it will be down to Spain and Canada to take the bronze. The Canadian team has put a lot of work into the event, but who knows. Judging in this sport is often questionable and suffers from the same issues that faced figure skating with regards to ranking/expectation based judging.

Taekwondo
Karine Sergerie is the most likely medalist, she is ranked 2nd in the world and is a former world champion. She is in form from recent competitions and should be in the mix for 1 of the 4 medals. Francois Coulombe-Fortier has an outside chance and if given a good draw will be in there for a bronze.

Wrestling
Carol Huynh, Tonya Verbeek and Martine Dugrenier are back and will all challenge for medals. Leah Callahan is the new member of the team and she could also be in the mix. On the men's side there isn't much, David Trembley is the most likely to challenge for a medal.

[intoronto]

I disagree with you in wrestling. Matt Gentry is probably the only medal chance.

[krow]

on an entirely unrelated and non self-serving note, can you do this same breakdown for spain?