Markham athletes take on Tokyo 2020
MARKHAM, ON – July 9, 2021 – This morning, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti was joined by Senator Martha Deacon, MP Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage (Sport), and Executive Director of Badminton Canada Joe Morissette, at the Markham Pan Am Centre for Badminton Canada’s official Markham Olympic Training Camp.
The Canadian Olympic Committee announced the eight-member team – six of whom call Markham home or train in Markham. This is the largest badminton team in Canadian Olympic history and for the very first time, Canada will compete in every Olympic badminton event. The team will remain in Markham until July 10 when they will depart for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games running from July 23 to August 8.
The Markham Pan Am Centre is honoured to be chosen as the venue to prepare Canada’s historic badminton team for Tokyo 2020. As a first-class sports training, competition and events venue, the Centre is proud to play an integral part in the development of elite athletes and in fostering local and regional interest in sports.
Today also marks the start of the City of Markham’s countdown to Tokyo. With 15 of the athletes named to-date competing in the Olympics’ 33 sports and 400 events, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is very much Markham’s Games.
The City of Markham wishes all athletes connected to Markham competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games the best of luck as they go for gold:
- Andre De Grasse – Athletics
- Jason Ho-Shue – Badminton
- Rachel Honderich – Badminton
- Joshua Hurlburt-Yu – Badminton
- Michelle Li – Badminton
- Nyl Yakura – Badminton
- Brian Yang – Badminton
- Jayde Riviere – Football (Soccer)
- Gabrielle Smith – Rowing
- Andrew Coe – Rugby
- Jeremy Hazin – Table Tennis
- Javier Acevedo – Swimming
- Tessa Cieplucha – Swimming
- Joshua Liendo – Swimming
- Kayla Sanchez – Swimming
Residents are also encouraged to get in the Olympic spirit and show their local pride by tuning in to Remembering Tokyo 1964 on July 11 at 2 PM. This online Olympic special, presented by the Friends of the Markham Museum offers a glimpse at Markham’s Olympic memories, featuring Markham Olympic Silver Medallist Bill Crothers and Order of Canada journalist and news anchor Lloyd Robertson whose first overseas assignment was the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games.
The City of Markham is proud of its rich sporting heritage and values a strong sporting culture that promotes accessibility and inclusiveness. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is an exciting time for sports in the City of Markham, Canada’s most diverse city and home to many internationally-ranked athletes and even more rising young stars.
Quotes:
It’s often said that Markham has talent and our city will be well represented at the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games by outstanding homegrown athletes that will be proudly representing Canada in their medal pursuit. Markham is proud to be home to the world-class Markham Pan Am Centre that is home to high-performance training and development, including Badminton Canada’s pre-Olympic training camp. Good luck to our Canadian athletes and thank you to the families, coaches and training staff for nurturing our talent and providing them the support needed to pursue their dreams.”
- Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti
“The journey to the Olympics is never done alone. I want to recognize the parents, siblings, coaches, mentors, supporters, friends, sponsors, sport organizations, and everyone who lends a hand in this marvelous journey for each athlete – congratulations to you all!”
- Joe Morisette, Executive Director of Badminton Canada
L to R: MP Adam van Koeverden, Senator Martha Deacon, ED of Badminton Canada Joe Morissette, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti and VIPs cheer on members of the largest badminton team in Canadian Olympic history, coaches and support team as they prepare to compete in Tokyo 2020.
Michelle Li, ranked in the top 10 in the world, and Canada's top-ranked badminton player, at practice.
Brian Yang, youngest junior champion, youngest U23 national champion, and youngest senior national singles champion, at practice.
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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office:
Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff at bfrois@markham.ca or 416.567.1177.
All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham:
Jennifer Yap, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations at jyap@markham.ca or 437.229.2450.
For COVID-19 announcements from the City of Markham:
Visit markham.ca/covid19 or listen to 105.9 The Region – Markham’s information and emergency radio station.
About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with more than 351,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 headquartered companies and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy.
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