“I can be there”: Lethbridge athlete inspired by the success of Olympic women-Lethbridge

A few days after the start of international competitions, at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Canadian women consistently outperformed men on podiums.

As of Wednesday, Canada had won 9 medals in women’s sports, 4 of which were in swimming.

“I think this is very inspiring,” said Lethbridge swimmer Lola O’Brien.

Teammate Emily Guting said: “It must be inspiring, because during the new crown pneumonia epidemic, our year as an athlete was really uncomfortable.”

“It is very motivating to get them on the podium and medals.”

14-year-old O’Brien and 15-year-old Gouttin have been swimming at the Lethbridge Amateur Swimming Club for nearly ten years. They say that seeing Canadian women succeed at such a high level gives them hope in their careers.

“It lets me know that one day I might be there,” O’Brien said.

“Since I was a child, one day swimming at the Olympics has been my goal.”

Susan Ayman, executive director of the Lethbridge Sports Committee, said that while being able to watch games at home is great, it may not make a big difference to the sports world.

Ayman said: “Just being an Olympic year and only broadcasting on TV will not increase participation.”

1:59Tokyo Olympics: Penny Oleksiak becomes Canada’s most watched Summer Olympic athlete

However, she said that the participation of local sports organizations and the encouragement of parents may promote sports in the community.

She hopes that despite the setbacks of COVID-19, more girls will continue to engage in sports.

For 12-year-old Haylee Phypers, watching gymnastics is what made her enter the sport.

“I started watching gymnastics and slowly fell in love with it, and this has been my life since then,” she said.

Ashley Steacy is the 2016 Women’s Rugby Bronze Medalist and she is very happy to see the trend of women on the podium.

“It’s the same in Rio,” she said. “No matter how many medals are won by women, so is Tokyo.”

“Everything that happens in women’s sports is so exciting.”

Steacy is now working with Rugby Alberta, and he knows the impact of watching the Olympics.

“Hearing the news from the parents of the children who watched our game-they are happy to see the strong female role models their girls can emulate, and how excited their children are to be able to watch our game.”