Summer Swagger

In the minutes leading up to the 100-metre sprint, the runners had to re-start the race four times. And, despite the confusion, Canadian sprinter Donovan Bailey still broke the world record. At the time, Bailey’s 9.84-second time was called one of the “great Olympic finals in 100 years of Olympic competition.” Bailey instantly became known as the King of the 1996 Games, and the fastest man for his gold medal win. Bailey went on to win two gold medals that year, also helping his relay team win gold in the 4 x 100 metre relay final. 

Not considered a title threat during the 1988 Games, Lennox Lewis surprised everyone by dominating the boxing super heavyweight division. In the quarterfinals, Lewis knocked out Ulli Kaden of East Germany with one punch. Bam! In the final gold bout, it only took Lewis one round and 43 seconds to beat American Riddick Bowe for the gold medal.

3. When Sebastien Lareau and Daniel Nestor Served the Competition
Sydney, 2000

Hailed as the “Best Olympics ever held,” the Sydney Games were host to a first in Canadian Summer Games history. With Sebastien Lareau considered one of the world’s best doubles tennis players and Daniel Nestor considered one of the finest Canadian tennis players, it was no surprise to us when they beat out Australian tennis legends and favourites Mark Woodforde and Tom Woodbridge to capture Canada’s first Olympic gold in tennis.

4. When A WRESTLER Kissed The Canadian Flag In Front of MILLIONS
Sydney, 2000

Daniel Igali captured another Canadian Olympic first during the Games at Sydney when he won the gold medal in freestyle wrestling against Russian Arsen Gitinovis. Although born in Nigeria, Igali paid momentous tribute to his adoptive Canada by placing our country’s flag in the middle of the ring, running victory laps around it and picking it up for a kiss.

5. When a Flag-Powered Swimmer Set Records and Brought Home the Gold
Los Angeles, 1984

Born in Prague but raised in Canada, swimmer Alex Baumann was the chosen Canadian flag-bearer in the opening ceremonies of the 1984 Games. Despite lingering injuries, he persevered and went on to have two world-record gold wins in the 200-metre and 400-metre medley. Following his gold medal wins, Baumann was named Canada’s Male Athlete of the Year and Swimming Magazine’s Male World Swimmer. Baumann has continued his winning legacy and is now Head of Canada’s Summer Olympic Program.