Two Quebecers have been chosen to represent Team Canada in basketball at the upcoming Paris Olympics. The announcement was made by the Canadian Olympic Committee on Tuesday.
The two athletes, Kia Nurse and Shaina Pellington, will join the Canadian women’s basketball team as they compete for a medal at the highly anticipated event.
Nurse, a 25-year-old from Hamilton, Ontario, is no stranger to the Olympic stage. She was a key player in the Canadian team that won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She also played for the University of Connecticut and is currently a member of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.
Pellington, a 22-year-old from Pickering, Ontario, is making her Olympic debut. She played for the University of Arizona and was recently drafted by the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream.
Both athletes have expressed their excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to represent their country at the highest level of competition.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be selected to represent Canada at the Olympics once again,” said Nurse in a statement. “I am looking forward to competing alongside my teammates and making our country proud.”
Pellington also shared her enthusiasm, stating, “It is a dream come true to be able to wear the maple leaf on the Olympic stage. I am grateful for this opportunity and will give my all to help our team achieve success.”
The Canadian women’s basketball team has been steadily improving over the years and is currently ranked fourth in the world by FIBA. They will face tough competition at the Paris Olympics, with the United States, Australia, and Spain among the top contenders.
The Tokyo Olympics were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Paris Olympics are set to take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
The Canadian Olympic Committee has expressed their confidence in the team, stating, “We are proud to have such talented and dedicated athletes representing Canada at the Paris Olympics. We have no doubt that they will make our country proud and inspire future generations of athletes.”
The selection of Nurse and Pellington to Team Canada’s basketball roster is a testament to their hard work and dedication to the sport. As they prepare to compete on the world stage, all eyes will be on them as they strive for Olympic glory.
