By Angie Sullivan
Two local women will be representing Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer.
Chloe Daniels is a member of the Rugby Canada Women’s Sevens team. The women’s tournament takes place July 28-30 at the Stade de France and a full house of 69,000 fans are expected to be in attendance.
Daniels, aged 21, is born and raised in Sutton and said, “Being selected to compete in Paris 2024 is a dream come true and something that I have been working towards for the last three years. Any time I get to wear the Maple Leaf is special, but to do that at an Olympics seems surreal. I feel so honored and am really excited.”
The Georgina native has been a member of the Canada Women’s Sevens team for three years and was invited to join the developmental team at the Olympic Training Center in Langford, BC in Grade 12. Before that she attended Sutton District High School.
Daniels said, “There has been a ton of sacrifice to get here. Having to leave Sutton High and my friends and family while still in high school was tough. I have put my Queen’s University education on hold for now, but plan on returning this fall. Also, being part of such an intense training environment means giving up a lot of social life and partying. I try to stay connected and strike a balance in my life but I’d be lying if I said it has been easy.”
Though this is Daniels first Olympics, she debuted with the Senior National Women’s Sevens team at 18-years-old and played for Team Canada at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games where they took the silver medal. She is heading to Paris as the team’s vice-captain.
Daniels, who has been playing rugby since age eleven, said, “Managing game-day nerves is something I have had to work-on and although it’s definitely better, it’s still an ongoing challenge. The Olympics is such a big stage, so I’m sure I will be nervous.”
Shannon Westlake, aged 38, was selected to compete in Shooting, which takes place from July 27-Aug 5. She is a graduate of Keswick High School and moved to the region when she was eight.
Westlake said, “I became interested in competition shooting when I was 12 as an army cadet. It has been over 20 years since we have sent someone to compete in my event. I was extremely emotional when I won the Olympic quota spot for our country at the Pan American Games in Santiago last year. And again, when I won the Olympic trials and was nominated to represent Team Canada.”
The path to the Olympics was not an easy one. Westlake said, “I had come back from a serious injury in 2018 when I tore three ligaments in my ankle while playing volleyball and told that I may never shoot in the kneeling position again. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent my country at the Paris Olympics. It is truly an honour. I am so thankful for having such a strong support system at home.”
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