After a lifetime of hard work and dedication to sport, 12 individuals from Saskatchewan will represent Canada at the Olympic Summer Games July 23 to August 8 in Tokyo.

The Saskatchewan contingent includes one official, two support staff, three coaches and six athletes with ties to the province.

Pike Lake’s Rylan Wiens, who will compete in the 10-metre platform diving event, headlines the group. The 19-year-old becomes the province’s first-born and raised male Olympic diving athlete to train solely in Saskatchewan. Wiens has twice been named the Male Youth Athlete of the Year at the Saskatchewan Sport Awards and has received Sask Lotteries Future Best funding four times in his career.

Other athletes include softball outfielder Jenny Gilbert, pole vaulter Anicka Newell, swimmer Cole Pratt, boxer Tammara Thibeault and alternate for the artistic swim team Kenzie Priddell.

“It is my pleasure to wish our Saskatchewan athletes, coaches, and officials travelling to the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo the best of luck as they represent Canada,” said Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross. “Your hard work and dedication has given you the opportunity to showcase your abilities on the biggest stage in the world. The Government of Saskatchewan and the people of Saskatchewan will be cheering you on.”

The athletes will be joined by three coaches who have attended multiple Olympic Games between them. The group includes Lisa Borgerson (pistol), Lisa Thomaidis (women’s basketball) and Mary Carroll (diving). Support staff Rhonda Shishkin (women’s basketball), Graham Olson (swimming) and official for women’s soccer Chantal Boudreau will also be attending the Games in Tokyo.

“On behalf of the amateur sport community in Saskatchewan, I would like to congratulate the Saskatchewan contingent of the Olympic Games,” said Lance Dudar, Sask Sport and Sask Lotteries Chair. “Excellence in sport requires significant commitment and support from many areas. We celebrate the athletes, as well as their families and coaches, officials, medical support, mission staff, sport organizations, administrators, and the volunteers that make amateur sport strong. All have helped each athlete in their journey to the Games. Be sure to join in our online celebration to show that you are Sask Proud.”

Join Sask Sport, Sask Lotteries and the Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan on cheeronsask.ca for everything you need to know about the Olympics and Paralympics.  The website documents the athletes, coaches, officials and staff from Saskatchewan on their journey to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, features a comprehensive schedule specific to the Saskatchewan athletes that includes date, times, viewing options and results and will house daily recaps with results and information specific to the Saskatchewan contingent. It will also feature an aggregate of news from the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee and National Sport Organizations.

Follow along on social media on @SaskSport, @SaskLotteries and @CSCSaskatchewan and use the hashtag #SaskProud for further updates and information from cheeronsask.ca.

Olympic Notes: Janine Beckie, whose parents were involved in the Saskatchewan amateur sport system for a number of years, will compete on the Canadian women’s soccer team … The Canadian women’s softball team will begin round robin competition prior to the Opening Ceremonies … Cole Pratt’s sister who was born in Edmonton, Halle, is a member of the Canadian Olympic artistic swimming team …

TOKYO OLYMPIC SUMMER GAMES – SASKATCHEWAN CONTINGENT

ATHLETES
Jenny Gilbert – Softball, Outfield, Saskatoon
Anicka Newell – Athletics, Pole Vault, Saskatoon
Cole Pratt – Swimming, 100-m Backstroke, Regina
Kenzie Priddell – Artistic Swimming, Alternate, Regina
Tammara Thibeault – Boxing, Middleweight, Regina
Rylan Wiens – Diving, 10-m platform, Pike Lake

COACHES
Lisa Borgerson – Pistol, Rockglen
Mary Carroll – Diving, Saskatoon
Lisa Thomaidis – Women’s Basketball, Saskatoon

SUPPORT STAFF
Rhonda Shishkin – Physiotherapist, Women’s Basketball, Saskatoon
Graham Olson – Video Analyst, Swimming, Saskatoon

OFFICIAL
Chantal Boudreau –  Women’s Soccer, Regina