Notable quotes from Canadians at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: July 24

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This article was published 24/07/2021 (1508 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TOKYO – Here are some notable quotes from Canadians at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics from Saturday, July 24, 2021:

“It’s frustrating to miss a penalty to be able to put the team up early on in the game, would have been ideal, but it happens. You can’t score if you don’t shoot, so I stepped up to take it and I’ll continue to step up and take them.”

–Janine Beckie, who scored twice after missing a penalty shot to lead Canada over Chile 2-1 in women’s soccer.

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“I think that’s the problem with me now, being recognized as a strong climber. I’m being marked a lot more and it’s more difficult to step away.”

–Cyclist Michael Woods after finishing fifth at the men’s road race, missing the podium by mere milliseconds.

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“She doesn’t have much pressure and has nothing to lose. She’s very happy to be here. She’s a fighter and she believes that she can make it and she can beat these top girls.”

–Canadian women’s tennis coach Heidi el Tabakh on 18-year-old Leylah Fernandez following her opening-round win.

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“I trust (catcher) Kaleigh Rafter with my whole heart and being. I had to trust that was the pitch I had to beat her on.”

–Softball relief pitcher Jenna Caira on throwing five consecutive change-ups during a pivotal at-bat of Canada’s 7-1 win over Australia.

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“Being in Canada with the lockdowns that we’ve had, we haven’t really shown the world what we have yet so in a way I still think we’re kind of seen as the underdogs right now.”

–Butterfly world champion Maggie Mac Neil, as Canada attempts to follow up its six swimming medals from Rio 2016.

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“We felt really excited to be out there. I think the main thing for us is being so grateful for this opportunity being here, having the Olympics go ahead, and just taking advantage of this moment.”

–Gymnast Ellie Black on getting to train ahead of gymnastics qualification.

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“I’m not going to lie. But you have to play. That’s the Olympics, you go for the medal. You are not here to cry about the heat.”

–Russian tennis player Daniil Medvedev on the heat in Tokyo.

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“It’s the 100th birthday of the Chinese Communist Party. I’m so happy that this golden medal is a gift to my country. I’m so proud.”

–Chinese shooter Yang Qian on winning the Tokyo Games’ first gold medal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2021.