Canada sending ‘A Team’ to row at Pan Am Games

TORONTO – A common complaint around the Pan Am Games is that, while you will see great competition, you’re not guaranteed to see A-list athletes.

This year, professional obligations and conflicting tournament schedules are keeping some high-profile athletes away from the Games. NBA Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins won’t be on Canada’s men’s basketball roster. Rising LPGA star Brooke Henderson withdrew from the Games to focus on her professional career. Ryder Hesjedal is doing the Tour de France instead.

But Canada’s rowing team is looking at the Pan Am Games as a chance for its star athletes to shine.

READ MORE: Canada to field country’s largest Pan Am Games team ever

Rowing Canada has announced it will compete at the Pan Am Games with its “A Team” – the first time it’s done so since 1999. Typically, Rowing Canada sends the B Team as the Games often conflict with other competitions.

Not this year though. And the move is being applauded from within the rowing community. “It really shows Rowing Canada’s support of the Pan Am Games that they said, ‘You know what, we’re going to make sure this is a marquee race in our calendar,’” said Canadian rower Marnie McBean, who won the final gold medal of her career in Single Sculls at the ’99 Pan Am Games.

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Canada will compete in the women’s and men’s divisions, hoping to match the team’s success of the ’99 Games, where Canada won nine medals – three of them gold – in rowing events.

Rowing has long been established in Canada – but the sport is growing in popularity worldwide and new competitors are looking to challenge the Canadian and U.S. teams. At the 2011 Guadalajara Games, Argentina finished with five rowing golds. Cuba had the most rowing medals overall with nine.

More than 200 athletes will compete in 14 events from July 11 to 15. All events will take place in St. Catharines, Ont., at the storied Royal Canadian Henley rowing course (‘HEN’ if you’re following those Pan Am direction signs).

For more information on the athletes rowing for Team Canada, visit Rowing Canada’s website.