VICTORIA - After a year's delay, thousands of the world's greatest athletes will march into Tokyo Olympic Stadium this summer to kick off the Olympics and Paralympics. Among them are 21 University of Victoria Vikes-connected athletes, alumni, and staff representing Canada in five sports. Leading the way is Canada's Olympic flag-bearer and former Vikes rugby standout Nathan Hirayama.

The athletes join a long list of Vikes luminaries and past Olympians—the complete list can be found here. However, the belated edition of the Summer Games will look different from years past as athletes compete for gold with no fans, no family and no friends to cheer them on. Despite the various obstacles and format changes competitors have overcome thus far, their focus is unwavering and the goal remains the same: represent the maple leaf and bring home a medal.

Lists: Olympic History // Tokyo Olympians and Paralympians // Olympic Schedule // Vikes News

Vikes preview 

The Vikes continue a run of sending male and female rowers to the Games, with rowing representing the largest contingent of Canadian athletes in Tokyo. 

Current Vike Patrick Keane will compete in the lightweight men's double skulls with partner Max Lattimer of UBC; this will be Keane's first Olympic appearance. Vikes alumnus and Games-veteran Kai Langerfeld will row in the men's pair following the footsteps of his father York, a 1976 Olympian. The experienced duo of Langerfeld and partner Conlin McCabe are looking to make a run at the podium; both men rowed as members of the four that made the A-final in Rio.

On the women's side, Vikes alumna and two-time Olympian Caileigh Filmer will row the pair. UVic student and former Vike, Avalon Wasteneys will compete as a member of the eight—both are looking to be in medal contention. Wasteneys is one of 11 children of Olympians who will compete in Tokyo, following her mother, Heather, who competed in the coxed four at Seoul 1988. Her aunt, Christine Clarke, a member of the women's eight at Los Angeles 1984. 

Current UVic student Kyle Fredrickson is the lone athlete representing the Vikes this summer at the Paralympics, which takes place Aug 24 – Sept 5. Fredrickson, who competes in para rowing, will contend for a medal in the PR3 mixed coxed four with Island-based teammates Victoria Nolan, Bayleigh Hooper, Andrew Todd and coxswain Laura Court. 

The Canadian men's rugby 7s team makes its Olympic debut co-captained by alumnus Nathan Hirayama, Canada's all-time leading scorer. Other members of the squad include former Vikes Lucas Hammond, Mike Fuailefau, and Patrick Kay. Team Canada narrowly missed out on Rio 2016 but qualified for Tokyo back in July 2019, going undefeated at the Rugby Americas North Sevens tournament in the Cayman Islands.

Pamphinette Buisa, who helped the Vikes to their inaugural Canada West 15s title in 2015, is the lone Vikes-connected athlete named to the Canadian women's rugby 7s roster. The powerhouse Canadian women's team made up of six Olympic veterans looks to build on their 2016 Olympic appearance. 
 
The men's field hockey team is returning to consecutive Olympics for the first time since 1984 and 1988. Vikes alumni James Kirkpatrick, Matthew Sarmento, Keegan Periera, and Brenden Bisset will represent team Canada with hopes of cracking the top eight for the first time. Canada has never finished higher than that, facing tough international competition. 

A UVic alumna representing team Canada for her third consecutive Olympic appearance comes from a sport that isn't a varsity team. Rio 2016 Bronze Medalist Catharine Pendrel will compete in cross-country mountain biking. Pendrel studied at UVic and met her long-time coach, Dan Proulx, in the UVic triathlon club. The new mother is one of the most decorated athletes to ever compete in the sport and is looking to take home another medal in 2021. Other UVic connections that are non-Vikes include triathlon's Matthew Sharpe, and diving's Celina Toth. 

The Vikes also have several connections heading to the Olympics and Paralympics as staff and officials. Vikes chiropractor Dr. Simon Pearson is travelling with Athletics Canada, while physiotherapist Sue Lott will be in Tokyo alongside the Para rowing team.

Representing the Vikes coaching staff is women's rugby assistant coach Julianne Zussman who will referee the women's rugby 7s tournament.

Once again, Chris Hindmarch-Watson, former Vikes swimmer, will be on deck in Tokyo working as a live announcer during the swim events. 
 
What the athletes are saying

"The extra year of training really benefited us. The time away allowed us to feel mentally rested and return to training with new motivation. It was a needed break, and it paid off. It's going to be a different experience, but the goal is the same." - Patrick Keane

"Achieving the goal of making the Olympics feels incredibly fulfilling and exciting. Coming from a family of Olympians makes it even more special. I love continuing the tradition and having that connection with my mother and aunt." – Avalon Wasteneys

"The ultimate goal is to win a gold medal. We're not the favourites going into the tournament, but we're an experienced group of guys, and if things align and we're at our best, I think we have a shot. It's a shame not to play in front of spectators, but we understand, and it's out of our control. We are focussed on what's in our control." – Nate Hirayama

"I've always wanted to be an Olympian. I competed in the Junior Olympics, which set me on this path, and it's amazing to see it happening. The part of this journey I'm most proud of is my team. We've come to a place where we truly understand what it means to represent this place we call Canada. We stand in solidarity with the Indigenous communities of this country, we understand that there is still work to do, and yes, we represent Canada, but we represent even more than that." – Pamphinette Buisa

"With the postponement of the Games, we tried to see it as an opportunity. We saw it as another year of training to get faster and to sharpen our skills. Throughout the past quadrennial we have had a lot of obstacles to overcome, so qualifying for the Paralympics really feels like a dream come true." – Kyle Fredrickson
 
To keep up with all the UVic connections in Tokyo, visit govikesgo.com/Tokyo and follow the Vikes Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Vikes at the Tokyo Olympics (Detailed list here): 

Rowing (M)
Patrick Keane
Kai Langerfeld

Para rowing (M)
Kyle Fredrickson

Rowing (W)
Caileigh Filmer
Avalon Wasteneys

Field Hockey (M)
James Kirkpatrick
Brenden Bisset
Matt Sarmento
Keegan Pereira

Rugby 7s (M)
Nathan Hirayama
Patrick Kay
Mike Fuailefau
Lucas Hammond

Rugby 7s (W)
Pamphinette Buisa

Mountain Biking
Catharine Pendrel, UVic Triathlon Club alumna

Triathlon *UVic student*
Matthew Sharpe 

Diving *UVic alumna*
Celina Toth

Staff and Officials
Dr. Simon Pearson, Vikes Chiropractor
Sue Lott, Vikes physiotherapist
Julianne Zussman, Vikes women's rugby assistant coach
Chris Hindmarch-Watson, swimming and a live announcer