Canada’s eight team set to defend Olympic title won in Tokyo
As quotes go, it’s as fitting as it gets for an Olympic winner.
“Don’t quit,” said sports giant Mohammad Ali. “Suffer now and live forever as a champion.”
Calgary rower Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski lists it as words to live by in her Canadian Olympic bio, especially since her gold-medal glory three years ago at the Tokyo Games came just weeks after suffering a serious training wreck.
“All my injuries I had experienced through alpine ski racing and soccer prepared me for the most poorly timed injury of all-time,” said Gruchalla-Wesierski, recalling the bike crash that resulted in a broken collarbone, a bruised hip and a whopping 56 stitches.
“I don’t take this second chance at sport lightly,” continued the Olympic rower. “I knew that we were a really strong crew and I had something to contribute to the boat.”
She hopes to do the same with Canada’s eight team at the 2024 Summer Olympiad in Paris.
Only this time around, Gruchalla-Wesierski is feeling 100% and fully ready to … well … row.
“I’m so grateful to be here,” said the 33-year-old legend of the Calgary Rowing Club. “I don’t have expectations but rather have goals. The competition is extremely fierce, and I know we’re in the mix. That being said, it’s going to be a dogfight (to defend our Olympic title) and we are ready for it.”
Gruchalla-Wesierski, originally from Montreal, is joined by three other returnees from the gold-medal eight celebration in Tokyo.
The other four are new to the crew, including fellow Albertan — and CRC mate — Jessica Sevick, of Strathmore.
“I am unbelievably excited do the Olympics in Paris,” said 35-year-old Sevick, also set for a second Games experience. “It already has been such a different experience compared to (COVID-restricted) Tokyo, so I’m excited to experience a more normal Olympics.
“I am most looking forward to getting to experience the Olympics with my family being able to be there this time,” continued Sevick. “They have also made a lot of sacrifices to support me in my career, and it feels so special to be able to experience such an incredible time in my life with them beside me.”
Sevick, who originally hails from Victoria, B.C., has moved to become a member of the Canadian eight after racing to sixth spot in the double sculls at Tokyo 2020.
“I don’t have any expectations going into Paris,” said Sevick, who also suffered through serious injury — ACL damage when young — that rowing success helped to heal. “Leading up to the Games, I am focused on sticking to the plan and process our team has set in place and trying to enjoy every moment of it.
“But I fully believe in my team and our ability to give our best performance possible, and I’m excited to see what we can do. There is some tough competition, but we have been really gelling as a squad and making the most of our preparation time.”
Indeed, the Canadian eight made a strong statement in May at the 2024 World Rowing Cup II in Lucerne, Switzerland, winning gold with a dominant row over the United States and Great Britain.
That bodes well for more Games glory at Nautical Stadium Olympic D’île-De-France in Vaires-sur-Marne.
The Olympic eight row to gold opens with heats Monday (4 a.m. MT), follows with repechages Wednesday (2:10 a.m. MT) and culminates with the final on Saturday, Aug. 3 (2:50 a.m. MT).
“We want to throw down a race we are proud of, to show how strong we are, and to fully enjoy the Olympic experience that we were robbed of in Tokyo,” Gruchalla-Wesierski said. “I think if we do the best we can, we can walk away with our heads held high, no matter the result.”
Having already been battle-tested at the Olympiad — the most sacred of all sporting events — their best is likely to be golden once more.
“I was an athlete throughout my teenage years and thought my Olympic dreams were over after graduating high school,” added Gruchalla-Wesierski, whose friend convinced her to try out for a talent ID program for rowing in Canada in 2014. “I think when you are given the gift of realizing your dreams again and through a different sport, you take it and run as fast as you can.
“Really excited and nervous wrapped up into one for this. The Olympics are such a special event.”