When the long awaited 2020 (2021) Summer Olympic Games start on July 23 in Tokyo, the University of Toronto community will have many members to cheer for - from students past and present to Varsity Blues athletes and alum.
These are the U of T Olympians representing Canada this summer in Japan:
Heather Bansley, a Varsity Blues alumna and English graduate from University College will be competing in beach volleyball. This is her second Olympics.
Alicia Brown, a Varsity Blues alumna and graduate of the UTM Comm, Culture and IT program, will be competing in athletics (400m, 4x400m). This is her second Olympics.
Matt Cabraja, a Varsity Blues swimmer and New College student of math & physical sciences, will be competing in swimming (freestyle). This is his first Paralympics.
Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, a Varsity Blues alumna and psychology graduate from Victoria College, will be competing in athletics (1500m). This is her second Olympics.
Crispin Duenas, a physics graduate from Victoria College, will be competing in archery. This is his fourth Olympics.
Annie Foreman-Mackey, a graduate public health graduate program from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, will be competing in cycling. This is her first Olympics.
Ruslan Gaziev, a Varsity Blues swimmer and student in the UTM social science program will be competing in swimming (freestyle). This is his first Olympics.
Rachel Honderich, a Varsity Blues alumna and kinesiology student on leave, will be competing in badminton. This is her first Olympics.
Madeleine Kelly, a Varsity Blues alumna and anthropology/English graduate from New College will be competing in athletics (800m). This is her first Olympics.
Michelle Li, a Varsity Blues alumna and graduate of the Woodsworth College finance & economics - Rotman Commerce program, will be competing in badminton. This is her third Olympics.
Rosie MacLennan, an alumna of the kinesiology graduate program, will be competing in trampoline. This is the third Olympics for the two-time reigning gold medalist
Gabe Mastromatteo, a Varsity Blues swimmer and Rotman commerce student from New College, will be competing in swimming (breaststroke). This is his first Olympics.
Kylie Masse, a Varsity Blues alumna and kinesiology graduate, will be competing in swimming (backstroke). This is the second Olympics for the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist.
Lucia Stafford, a Varsity Blues alumna and civil engineering student, will be competing in athletics (1500m). This will be her first Olympics.
Linda Kiefer, Varsity Blues swimming assistant head coach, will be in Tokyo as coach to the Blues swimmers.
Byron MacDonald, KPE senior instructor and Varsity Blues swimming head coach, will be working as CBC commentator in Tokyo.
George Gross Jr., head coach of the Varsity Blues women’s water polo team, will also be going to Tokyo as CBC Commentator.
Edison Au, a graduate of physical therapy and Varsity Blues alum, will be going to Tokyo as a physical therapist for Canada’s men’s field hockey team.
Good luck to all! We wish them much success.