Was it a dramatic summer night in Georgia? A heroic rescue at sea in Korea? A golden California summer? Canada has had a long history at the Olympic Games. We're asking you to decide what was the best Canadian Summer Olympic moment in our mini tournament.
Vote for your favourite moment in each of the match-ups. Check back each day to see who won and to help decide the next day's winner.
Here's our pick for the top 8 Canadian Summer Olympic moments. We describe these eight moments below the bracket.
1. Donovan Bailey and the Men’s 100 m
Canada’s Donovan Bailey entered an exclusive club when he shattered the world record during his gold medal run in Atlanta. But things got a little sweeter for Canada when Bailey returned to anchor the Canadians to a second gold medal in the 4 x 100m relay. Beating the heavily favoured U.S. in a marquee event on home soil, made things even sweeter.
2. Alex Baumann’s double gold at the 1984 Olympics
Is Alex Baumann’s Canada’s greatest swimmer ever? His two gold medals at the Los Angeles Olympics in the 400m individual medley and the 200m freestyle, both in world record time, are excellent arguments. The fact that Baumann did so just months after the death of his brother and father cements this reputation further.
3. Simon Whitfield wins gold at first Men’s Triathlon in Sydney
In 2000, Simon Whitfield made sure that the men’s triathlon entered the Olympic record books in dramatic fashion. The Kingston, Ont. native capped off a dramatic race with a seemingly effortless sprint to beat Germany’s Stephan Vuckovic. In the process, Whitfield became a household name and a Canadian Olympic hero.
4. Adam van Koeverden in Athens
Adam van Koeverden started his Olympics with a bronze medal in Athens but it was in the 500m race where he shone. He trailed world champion Nathan Baggaley in the first half of the race but surged to take home the gold.
5. Carolyn Waldo’s double gold in synchronized swimming
The first Canadian woman to win two gold medals in an Olympics, the synchronized swimmer’s wins in the solo and duet events at the Seoul Games remains an Olympic highlight.
6. Women’s Rowing triple gold in 1992
Forget lacrosse, maybe rowing should be Canada’s summer sport. Our triple gold medal performance in 1992 would’ve been a perfect reason. The team won golds in the women’s pairs, coxless fours and the eights.
7. Larry Lemieux’ rescue in 1988
Sailor Larry Lemieux was second during his Olympic race when off in the horizon he spotted an overturned boat and their two sailors thrown into the water. Lemieux abandoned his race and rescued his two fellow Olympians. For his heroics, Lemieux was awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal, awarded by the IOC to the athlete who best represents Olympic ideals.
8. Canada’s 44 medals at the LA Olympics
Four gold medals in the pool, two canoeing gold medals, a gold medal in the men’s eight. Canada’s Olympics team must’ve loved the California sunshine, racking up 44 medals in all at the Los Angeles Olympics. The fact that many Soviet bloc countries boycotted the Games undoubtedly helped Team Canada’s chances.