Notable quotes from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: Aug. 2, 2021

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This article was published 02/08/2021 (1501 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TOKYO – Here’s a selection of notable quotes from Canadian and other athletes at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021.

“We’ve played the U.S. so many times but this time around we came into this tournament with the mindset of changing the colour of the medal. And we showed that. I’m just super proud of the team.”

— Women’s soccer player Ashley Lawrence after Canada beat the United States 1-0 to advance to Friday’s gold medal. Canada won bronze medals in 2016 and 2012.

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“Honestly, in beach volleyball, a defensive system is all about trust. If I don’t trust Melissa I’ll start trying to do too much at the net. If Melissa doesn’t trust me, she’ll be out of position. We trust each other implicitly that we’re going to do what we say we’re going to do.”

— Beach volleyball player Sarah Pavan, on knowing her partner Melissa Humana-Paredes always has her back during a match. The top-ranked Canadian beach volleyball duo advanced to the quarterfinal at the Tokyo Olympics with another straight-sets win.

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“I’m glad to be on the right side of the photo-finish. I had no idea where I was for the whole race. When we crossed the line, (Britain’s) Emily Lewis right next to me were looking at each other and didn’t know what was going on. And there were three more faces looking at me not knowing what had happened.”

— Michelle Russell, after finishing second and advancing to the semifinals following a photo finish in the women’s 200-metre kayak single

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“Of course, I’m not entirely unaware of the controversy which surrounds my participation in these Games. And, as such, I’d particularly like to thank the IOC, for, I think, really affirming their commitment to the principles of Olympism, and establishing that sport is something for all people. It is inclusive. It is accessible.”

— Transgender weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, who was ruled out of medal contention in the women’s over-87-kilogram division. The New Zealander has been the focus of attention and debate as a transgenger medal contender in weightlifting.

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“At the start of the day in training, everything was going well. I wasn’t too stressed. But I walked over to the edge of the pool…I started to have palpitations, my legs were shaking. And it stayed the whole time, it showed from the first dive.”

— Seventeen-year-old Canadian diver Cedric Fofana. Fofana placed 29th and did not advance to the semifinals of the men’s 3-metre springboard

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 2, 2021.