How do you define greatness? A mind-bending feat that surpasses expectation and rationality? A moment of authentic surprise that inverts the weight of pressing odds? Or perhaps an incision in the linear unfurling of your heart?
In sport, we are quick to anoint greatness upon each other. A performance that impresses us is often bestowed the virtue of greatness before it can even truly be understood. It is easy to attach brilliance onto bravery and boldness but sometimes the two should not be conflated. True greatness should combine mastery, magnanimity and more than a hint of magic.
The Olympic Games is our ultimate magic show. A procession of truly elite talent, operating at the pinnacle of their sport and thrust forward into a limelight fostered by four years of relative translucency. These two weeks are stitched into the very fabric of competition, dating back to the lore of Ancient Greece, and have transcended the politics of modern society to become the ultimate marker in sporting excellence. To win Olympic Gold gives you immortality of a rare and timeless specification – your story will be perpetuated forevermore, carried forward by the whispers of generations to come, who too aim to climb those sacred steps and join this club of champions. Emerging over the horizon, this time in the blue and red hue of palatial Paris, we are ready for the very fastest in rowing to be crowned.
Step forward, my friends – The Olympic Games have come.
The Stats
Country
Canada
Crew Names
Jessica Sevick
Caileigh Filmer
Maya Meschkuleit
Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski
Avalon Wasteneys
Sydney Payne
Kristina Walker
Abigail Dent
Kristen Kit (c)
Average Age
29 years
Olympic Record
Gold in the W8+ at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (Gruchalla-Wesierski, Wasteneys, Payne, Kit)
Sixth in the W2x at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games0 (Sevick)
Bronze in the W2- at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (Filmer)
2024 Competitive Record
World Rowing Cup 1: N/A
World Rowing Cup 2: 1st (W8+)
World Rowing Cup 3: N/A
European Championships: N/A
The Profile
Canada are the reigning Olympic Champions and their crew for Paris includes four members of that gold medal-winning boat. They also have Olympic experience with Sevick from the double and bronze medal pairs rower Filmer. The crew is a good mix of youth and experience. Alongside the Olympic athletes, the Canadians have selected 22-year-old Abigail Dent for the all-important stroke seat – she made her senior debut last season racing in the coxless four at the third World Rowing Cup. Another youngster in the boat is 23-year-old Maya Meschkuleit – she made her senior debut at the final World Rowing Cup of the 2022 season and in 2023 raced at both the U23 and senior world championships. This season, Canada have made one appearance, winning the second World Rowing Cup although they’ve made one change to that crew, with the experienced Wasteneys coming into the boat to replace Kristen Siermachesky.
About The Author
