Canada have found themselves in the shadow of the United States throughout the history of the Olympic Games, but that is not to say that they have not had some notable gold-medal winners. Lennox Lewis was successful in the super-heavyweight division at the 1988 edition, while Donovan Bailey famously stormed to gold in the 100m at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. However, some of Canada's success over the years has come against the odds, with few predicting a top-three finish nevermind a shock triumph.
Gambles are regularly taken at www.bestcanadacasino.ca, and punters would have been taking a calculated risk had they bet on Andre De Grasse to claim a medal in the 100m in 2016. The sprinter had earned a share of third place at the World Championships 12 months earlier, but De Grasse was still only 21 years of age and faced added pressure in Brazil. His main ambitions also came in the 200m, but the Ontario-born runner produced a personal best of 9.91 seconds to edge out three other rivals who also ran under 10 seconds in order to claim bronze. It is a PB which still stands today, and one which De Grasse will hope to build on in Tokyo in 2020 now that Usain Bolt has hung up his spikes.
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A bigger upset came via Mark Tewksbury at the 1992 Games in Barcelona. Tewksbury was ranked at number four in the 100m backstroke world standings ahead of the event, but the then-24-year-old found fierce competition in the way of several fancied American swimmers. A bronze medal appeared to be Tewksbury's best hope and he was never in the lead during the final as Jeff Rouse stamped his authority on the race. However, a strong finish from Tewksbury saw him edge out his nemesis by just sixth hundredths of a second to seal his place in history before retirement from the sport.
Mark McKoy also found himself in the limelight in Spain. McKoy had a controversial past having admitted to doping during the 1980s but the 110m hurdler made his return in 1991 as he attempted to end a run of fourth places at major championships. McKoy's best achievement ahead of the 1992 Games had been a gold medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, but he won each of his heats in Barcelona before claiming victory in a time of 13.12 seconds with favourite Colin Jackson only ending the race in seventh position due to injury.
Lori-Ann Muenzer's success at the 2004 Games was not necessarily the biggest of surprises, but the feat broke new ground for Canadian sprint cycling. Muenzer had only collected silvers and bronzes at previous World Championships but at the age of 38, she defeated favourite Anna Meares in the semi-finals to give herself an opportunity of glory. A 2-0 win over Tamilla Abassova followed in the final, and it resulted in Muenzer winning Canada's first - and only - gold medal in track cycling at the Olympics.
