Nova Scotia Buzz
Canada will be sending nine athletes from Nova Scotia to the Tokyo Olympics in Japan. The competition takes place from July 20 and runs until August 8.
The opening ceremonies will take place July 23 at 8 AM Atlantic.
Nova Scotia Buzz will keep you updated as our homegrown athletes compete in Japan. Nova Scotia’s athletes hail from New Glasgow, Brooklyn, Chester, Kennetcook, Fall River, Halifax and Dartmouth. These are the seven Nova Scotians participating in the games.
Biographies from Olympic.ca.
Ellie Black
Age: 25
Hometown: Halifax, NS
Sport: Gymnastics – Artistic
Getting into the Sport: Started competitive gymnastics at age 9… Had her Olympic dream sparked while watching the Beijing 2008 artistic gymnastics competition on TV; the Canadian team included David Kikuchi, who trained at her club in Halifax and is now her coach.
Outside Interests: Studying kinesiology at Dalhousie University … Enjoys cooking and baking, watching movies and listening to music… Does presentations to schools on behalf of the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame to inspire the next generation…
Odds and Ends: Favourite motto: Dream big, don’t let anyone else set your limits… Inspired by training mate Hugh Smith to keep pushing for her dreams… Collects keychains and Starbucks mugs from her travels…
Mark de Jonge
Age: 37
Hometown: Halifax, NS
Sport: Canoe-Kayak – Sprint
Getting into the Sport: Started kayaking at age 13… After moving to Halifax in 1997 his parents registered him with the Maskwa Aquatic Club so he could meet more kids his own age…
Outside Interests: Graduated from Dalhousie University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering… Worked fulltime for three years as a geotechnical engineer-in-training before taking leave of absence to focus on kayaking heading into London 2012… Designs and makes analog watches for his own company… Has also done design work to make and improve kayak paddles and some design work for a sport technology company…
Odds and Ends: Favourite quote: “It is how you show up to the showdown that counts.” – Homer Norton… Nickname: Mucka…
Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu
Age: 33
Hometown: New Glasgow, NS
Sport: Equestrian – Dressage
Getting into the Sport: An avid rider since age 5 and began competing in equestrian at age 7… First pony was named Freckles… Began regularly commuting to Ottawa when she was 13 to train with well-known dressage rider, Ruth Koch.
Odds and Ends: Has a two-year-old son, Théo, with husband Marc-André Beaulieu… Coach Ashley Holzer is a four-time Olympian who won team dressage bronze at Seoul 1988.
Connor Fitzpatrick
Age: 22
Hometown: Dartmouth, NS
Sport: Canoe-Kayak – Sprint
Outside Interests: Enjoys golfing in the off-season and is very into cars.
Odds and Ends: Favourite mottos: “Success is where opportunity meets preparation, prepare yourself for the next opportunity.” / “Life is all about decisions, and I chose to be great everyday”… Inspired by Canadian Olympic medalist Steve Giles, his coach Andreas Dittmer who is a five-time Olympic medallist for Germany, and Sebastian Brendel, a three-time Olympic champion from Germany who he has trained alongside for two years which allowed him to see what he needs to do to be the best at his sport.
Sarah Mitton
Age: 25
Hometown: Brooklyn, NS
Sport: Athletics
Getting into the Sport: Started throwing in junior high school and after breaking a local record was recruited to a track and field team which jump started her career… Although her main focus has been shot put, she would always run sprints and jumps for team points at meets. In 2013 she even made the provincial team for the heptathlon…
Outside Interests: Enjoys reading, sightseeing, Netflix, spending time by the ocean… Graduated from the University of Windsor in 2018 with an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology… Works in marine biology/research or as a commercial scuba diver…
Sydney Pickrem
Age: 24
Hometown: Halifax, NS
Sport: Swimming
Getting into the Sport: Started swimming at age 6 because her brother swam…
Outside Interests: Enjoys wakeboarding and going to the beach… Graduated from Texas A&M University in 2019 where she studied kinesiology … Would like to become a physiotherapist… Enjoys reading athlete biographies…
Odds and Ends: Nickname: Syd… Considers sparkly boots as her good luck charm… Favourite motto: Never give up… Usually eats steak and pasta before competing…
Michelle Russell
Age: 29
Hometown: Fall River, NS
Sport: Canoe-Kayak – Sprint
Getting into the Sport: Started kayaking at age 7 when her mom signed up the whole family at Abenaki Aquatic Club in Cole Harbour to get outdoor exercise… Switched to Cheema Aquatic Club in 2004…
Outside Interests: Graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University in 2020 with a Honours degree in English… Enjoys reading…
Odds and Ends: Her grandmother has been her role model… Best advice came from 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Steve Giles who said his best races were when he put his head down and put confidence into his paddling rather than giving himself a place before the race had started…
Wyatt Sanford
Age: 22
Hometown: Kennetcook, NS
Sport: Boxing
Wyatt Sanford’s interest towards boxing started at the age of 11. At the time, his best friend wanted to try a new sport. Wyatt decided to go to the boxing club with him and he has loved the sport ever since!
The skills and strategy required in boxing are some of the aspects that Wyatt enjoys about his sport. One wrong move or a second too late can make all the difference! He also loves to travel for his sport, meet new friends along the way and hear stories from his coach and other athletes in the gym. Within the next ten years, Wyatt would like to represent Canada at all Major Games, including the Olympics
Beyond his career as an athlete, Wyatt completed his High School diploma a year earlier than most and has started a double major in Criminology and Psychology at St. Mary’s University.
Taken from boxingcanada.org
Jacob Saunders
Age: 29
Hometown: Chester, NS
Sport: Sailing
Getting into the Sport: Began competitive sailing at age 11… Was attracted first to the feeling of sailing and later the physical and mental challenges it presented…
Outside Interests: Graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Engineering in 2019… Works as an engineer/project manager for a contracting firm… Enjoys doing other sports such as surfing, climbing and cycling…
Odds and Ends: One of his first Olympic memories is watching Simon Whitfield win gold at Sydney 2000, inspiring his own Olympic dream… Favourite quote: “You haven’t won if, in doing so, you have lost the respect of your competitors.” – Paul Elvstrom…
