Notable quotes from Canadians and others at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics: July 26

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This article was published 26/07/2021 (1551 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Here are some notable quotes from Canadians and other athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics from Monday, July 26, 2021:

“It was more than I was hoping for at this point. I was really just trying to enjoy the experience and just have fun, which I think I did today. So I’m really proud of that and just trying to not be so nervous and just try to loosen up, which is when I really swim at my best.”

— Margaret Mac Neil, after winning Canada’s first gold medal of Tokyo’s Olympic Games in the 100-metre butterfly

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“Right now I’m going to be emotional about missing that gold medal. But I think looking back I’m going to be proud of myself because I know the last two or three years mentally and physically have been extremely hard.”

— Canada’s Jessica Klimkait, after winning the bronze medal in women’s 57kg Judo competition

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“You can do what you want in your own arena, in your own backyard, it doesn’t mean anything. It means everything here. I kept believing and that’s what matters.”

— British swimmer Adam Peaty, after winning the gold medal in the men’s 100-metre breaststroke

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“I’ll have to use the same strategy, but do it even better, because it’s an even better boxer. That’s what the judges want: they want to see activity, pressure. That’s what I’ll do.”

— Canadian boxer Caroline Veyre, on advancing to the quarterfinals in the women’s featherweight division

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“Just to be here and to become the first Canadian Olympian in skateboard (in the women’s event), I can’t ask for better.”

— Canadian skateboarder Annie Guglia. Guglia finished 19th in the women’s street event after flying to Tokyo on short notice after two of her competitors were forced to withdraw.

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“It’s been an honour to share the last two years in synchro and to dive together at the Olympics.”

Vincent Riendeau on his diving partner Nathan Zsombor-Murray. The pair finished fifth in the men’s synchronized 10m platform in what is expected to be Riendeau’s last competition.

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“When I was a little boy, I felt like an outsider, and felt different, and I felt like I was never going to be anything, because who I was, wasn’t what society wanted me to be. And to be able to see out LGBT people performing at the Olympic Games, I hope (that) can give young kids hope and not feel so frightened and scared and alone, and to be able to see that no matter who you are, where you come from, you can become an Olympic champion, because I did.”

British diver Tom Daley after winning gold with Matty Lee in in the men’s synchronised 10m platform.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2021.