Canada Ahead of Athens and Beijing Medal Pace

It may have seemed like a slow start for Canada at the London 2012 Olympic Games, but in fact, Canada is performing above the medal pace of the past two Summer Olympics.

It took Canada 8 days during the last Summer Olympics in Beijing to win a medal, while in Athens Canada had won only 1 after the first 4 days in Athens.

Canada’s goal heading into these Olympic Games was to finish in the top 12 in the medal count, and currently sit 11th after capturing their 5th medal Wednesday, and first silver, in the men’s 8 rowing competition.

After Jennifer Abel and Emilie Heymans scored Canada’s first medal in the 3m springboard synchronized diving competition, the medals began to flow more easily for Canada. Fellow Canadian divers Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion also won bronze in the 10m platform synchronized competition.

Antoine Valios-Fortier won Canada’s third bronze in the men’s 81kg judo event.

Christine Girard then took home Canada’s first medal in weightlifting since 1984 when she won bronze in the women’s 63kg division.

Finally, Wednesday, Canada’s Men’s Eight team won the country’s first silver medal.

Last updated Wednesday 8:30am.