Notable quotes from the 2024 Paris Olympics: Aug. 8, 2024

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This article was published 08/08/2024 (737 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PARIS – Here are some notable quotes from the 2024 Paris Olympics on Aug. 8, 2024:

“We didn’t say much. We cried most of it. They said, ‘We’re there’. I said, ‘I saw you guys. I heard you’. We’re just so glad that we can share this moment with them … It was amazing and so nice to be with a crowd. In weightlifting we don’t have that big of a crowd, but it’s so amazing. We need cheer, we need loud. We need to be celebrated even if we fail, but (because) we all still qualified for this amazing event. And that’s a success in itself.”

– Canadian silver medallist weightlifter Maude Charron on having her family in Paris for support.

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“We were really down last week, and there were some tough conversations to have, but it brought us to this moment. There’s still stuff left in the tank, and there’s more we can give.”

– Melissa Humana-Paredes on reaching the women’s beach volleyball final with teammate Brandie Wilkerson.

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“I was just soaking that moment in. You’ve seen so many different versions of that moment in your head, you do so much visualization and manifestation of these things, that when it’s actually happening, I was just stunned. I was probably waiting for Mel to come back as she was running around.”

– Wilkerson on the duo’s reaction after defeating Switzerland in the beach volleyball semifinal.

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“Pretty darn good. It’s my second Games. The first one, huge learning curve. I already feel like I’ve had the Olympic experience I needed to (have) for myself. For Canada, I’m going to go out there and try to win a gold medal, or any medal … It’s three metres further than I threw in Tokyo, and I’m just feeling really relaxed and really confident. That’s the space that I wanted to be in. So happy with the one-and-done, and I’m ready to come back.”

– Canada’s Sarah Mitton after qualifying for the final on her first throw in the women’s shot put qualification.

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“I was super nervous. I felt like I was going to throw up everywhere, but as soon as the gun went I was like, ‘I could do this’, and then it all came together. It means a lot. I’ve had a lot of people tell me I can’t do this, it feels good to shove it in their face a little bit.”

– Sophia Jensen speaks after qualifying for the women’s 200-metre canoe single semifinals for Canada. Jensen said her doubters included a gym teacher who once graded her 11 per cent in gym class.

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“I think the biggest thing is just focusing on yourself and your performance, you just want to feel proud of what you did and if you do your best and come fourth, it’s a tough pill to swallow, but you did your best. If you don’t do your best and come fourth, then you’re going to regret that a little more.”

– Canadian Katie Vincent, who also qualified for the semifinal qualifier in women’s 200-metre canoe singles.

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“I was just talking to my dad and our team here, and I was saying that it doesn’t feel real yet. I don’t think it’s quite sunk in. But when that final buzzer went on the match, just pure joy and gratitude.”

– Canada’s Skylar Park, who won a bronze medal in taekwondo after competing in the women’s 57-kilogram division.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 8, 2024.