Two-time Olympians Dahria Beatty and Cendrine Browne headline a youthful Olympic roster unveiled by Nordiq Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee on Thursday.
Beatty, of Whitehorse, and Browne, of Saint-Jérôme, Que., are joined by Laura Leclair (Chelsea, Que.) and Katherine Stewart-Jones (Chelsea, Que.) on the women’s team.
The men’s team is comprised of Antoine Cyr (Gatineau, Que.), Olivier Léveillé (Sherbrooke, Que.) and Graham Ritchie (Parry Sound, Ont.). Both sides will be led by Norwegian coach Erik Braten.
Beatty and Browne are the only returning members from the 2018 Games.
WATCH | Browne speaks on her coach’s influence:
As a veteran member of Canada’s cross country ski team, Cendrine Browne knows what it takes to train at the highest level. Throughout her journey, coach Louis Bouchard has been there to help her get to the next stage and enjoy the ride. 2:19
Leclair, 24, and Stewart-Jones, 26, are set for their Olympic debut.
“I’m really excited to be heading to my first Olympics. It is something I’ve always wanted to accomplish, and it is crazy that it is finally here,” said Stewart-Jones.
The 23-year-old Cyr finished in the top-12 twice this year to qualify.
“Today is a dream come true and my whole focus now is on getting ready for the Olympics,” said Cyr.
The Gatineau native teamed up with Ritchie, 23, to finish seventh in the team sprint at the 2021 world championships.
Nice semifinal performance by Antoine Cyr and Graham Ritchie ????????, to move on to the World Champs, team sprint finals. <a href=”https://t.co/rGFMf5JwKY”>pic.twitter.com/rGFMf5JwKY</a>
—@NakkertokRacing
Léveillé, the youngest member of the Canadian team at 20, is a two-time medallist at the world junior championships and finished 17th on the World Cup circuit earlier this season.
Canada has won three previous Olympic cross-country medals, including gold from Beckie Scott in 2002 and Chandra Crawford in 2006, as well as Sara Renner’s silver in 2006.
Catriona Le May Doan, Canada’s Chef de Mission for Beijing 2022, said she was hopeful Canada’s newest generation of cross-country skiers can build on that legacy.
“Canadian cross-country skiers have continued to challenge on the international circuit, and we will be cheering these athletes on as they wear the Maple Leaf in Beijing,” she said.
Due to the increased risks associated with the pandemic, Nordiq Canada also nominated four alternates: Rémi Drolet, Russell Kennedy, Olivia Bouffard Nesbitt and Jasmine Drolet.
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