Monday, February 10, 2014

Top 10 Canadians to Watch in Sochi Olympics 2014

PATRICK CHAN: FIGURE SKATING After finishing fifth at his first Olympic competition in 2010, the Ottawa native, 23, is gunning for gold. If successful, the three-time and reigning world champion will become the first Canadian to take the highest spot on the Olympic podium in men’s figure skating. • Fun Fact: Patrick laced up as a boy because he wanted to play hockey.

SCOTT MOIR AND TESSA VIRTUE: FIGURE SKATING As the first ice dance team to win Olympic gold on home soil, the figure skating duo made history at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games. Hailing from London, Ont., Tessa, 24, and Scott, 26, are strong contenders in Sochi, having secured one of just three spots available to Canada in their sport. • Fun Fact: The pair (who star in the TV docu-series Tessa & Scott) have been skating together for 17 years.

CHRISTINE NESBITT: SPEED SKATING – LONG TRACK In her third Winter Olympic Games, the three-time World Champion, 28, attempts to defend her 2010 gold medal triumph. The Aussie-born Canadian pursued hockey before discovering speed skating as a teenager. Based in London, Ont., she has logged impressive performances at multiple world cup and world championship competitions. • Fun Fact: Christine enjoys jazz, especially the stylings of Ella Fitzgerald.

KAILLIE HUMPHRIES: BOBSLED Onlookers at the 2010 Winter Games witnessed history as the Calgary bobsled champion, along with Heather Moyse, crossed the finish line and became the first Canadian women to win gold in their sport. The star, 28, initially pursued alpine skiing, but soon realized her strengths might lie elsewhere. “I thought bobsled would be something I would be good at,” she says. • Fun Fact: Kaillie takes her grandma’s old teddy bear with her on tour.

SIDNEY CROSBY: ICE HOCKEY The most unforgettable moment of the 2010 Winter Games belonged to the Halifax native, who scored the winning goal against the U.S., earning a record 14th gold medal for Canada in Vancouver. This year, the Pittsburgh Penguins star, 26, is already a winner, having been named captain of the Canadian Olympic Hockey team. • Fun Fact: Sidney lived with hockey great Mario Lemieux’s family for five years.

MARK MCMORRIS: SNOWBOARDING After winning silver (and fracturing a rib) at the 2014 Winter X Games, the athlete remains a strong contender for gold at Sochi, where he’ll make his Olympic debut. Currently starring in the MTV reality hit McMorris & McMorris (alongside older brother Craig), the rookie from Regina will be up against American Shaun White, a two-time Olympic gold medallist. • Fun Fact: “Keep it fun!” is 20-year-old Mark’s motto.

ALEXANDRE BILODEAU: FREESTYLE SKIING Leaving his mark on history, the freestyle skier from Montreal was the first Olympic gold-medal winner at the 2010 Games and the first Canadian athlete to win gold on home ground. Fresh off his third consecutive World Cup moguls win earlier this year, the 26-year-old hasn’t missed a beat since returning from a hiatus during the 2011-2012 competition season. • Fun Fact: The star’s backup career plan was to become an F1 pilot.

ROSALIND GROENEWOUD: FREESTYLE SKIING The first-time Olympic contender, 24, hits the slopes in Sochi to compete in the women’s half-pipe. Participating in the new Olympic event is bittersweet for the Calgary-born star – her late teammate Sarah Burke actively petitioned to have the sport included at the Games. • Fun Fact: The athlete has a colourful competition custom: purple underwear and matching hair accessories!

HARLES AND FRANCOIS HAMELIN: SPEED SKATING – SHORT TRACK The brothers from Sainte-Julie, Que., earned a gold medal in the men’s 5,000-metre relay at the 2010 Games. Charles, 29, is the only Canadian to walk away with multiple golds, also speeding to victory in the 500-metre. • Fun Fact: While François, 27, says Charles is his greatest opponent, the rivalry ends off the ice. “On the ice he is another skater, not my brother,” says François. “After the race is done, everything goes back to normal.”

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