9 VotesCanada started slow at the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, failing to receive a single medal for the first 7 days of the games. Canadian fans seemed discouraged, but finally got their awakening when the Canadian Mens rowing pair Scott Frandsen and Dave Calder won silver on Day 8 of the Olympics. Canadas first gold was won later on that day by wrestler Carol Huynh.
Canada's run at the Beijing Olympic games was not necessarily their best, however Canada managed to tally up 18 medals in total three gold, nine silver, and six bronze. With past performances at Olympic games, Beijing would rank as their third best performance. In 1996 in Atlanta Canada won 22 medals, and in 1984 in Los Angeles, Canada won 44 medals.
Some specific highlights from the games include: Adam van Koeverdens silver win in the K-1 500 in which Adam had the lead for most of the race but was overtaken by Australian runner and former training partner Ken Wallace; Karine Sergeries silver win in taekwondo; Alexandre Despaties silver win in mens diving; and finally The Canadian Mens Rowing Teams gold win.
But, the most emotional defeat was for equestrian rider Eric Lamaze. Riding his horse Hickstead, Lamaze paired up against Swedens Rolf-Goran Bengtsson in a jump off to claim victory to Canadas 3rd gold medal. Lamaze had previously been exempt from both the 1996 and 2000 Olympic games due to positive drug testing. This time around he was not disqualified, and thankful that he had been given another chance to perform.
Overall, Canada wasnt seen much in the Olympic highlights this year. China seemed to take the cake as far as winnings, and US remained a team on top of it all. But, most Canadians were happy with the results even the Canadian athletes were seen glowing once they returned home. They gave it their all, and you really couldnt ask for a far better attitude.
