Olympic wake-up call: Canada claims debut silver in canoe, cycles to bronze | CBC Sports

While Vincent Lapointe dominates at world championships, the event only just debuted at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Fellow Canadian Katie Vincent was also honoured to be a part of the finals and came in eighth. 

CBC Sports’s Devin Heroux has more on Vincent Lapointe’s race at the Sea Forest Waterway, her dynasty, and how the decorated champion nearly didn’t make the Games.

WATCH | Laurence Vincent Lapointe wins historic silver: 

Laurence Vincent Lapointe, from Trois-Rivières, Que., paddled her way to a silver medal in the Olympic debut of the women’s singles canoe 200 metres. Nevin Harrison of the U.S. won gold while Katie Vincent of Mississauga, Ont. finished eighth. 6:42

Here’s more of what you might have missed in Tokyo on Thursday: 

Find live streams, must-watch video highlights, breaking news and more in one perfect Olympic Games package. Following Team Canada has never been easier or more exciting.

More from Tokyo 2020

Decathletes seek podium spots

Canada’s Damian Warner and Pierce LePage are continuing to take charge in the decathlon. 

At the time of publishing, the athletes only had two more events to go: javelin and the 1,500 metre race. 

Warner — who dominated the field and was atop the overall standings after eight events — was itching to close out the competition. LePage was in third. 

“I’m really happy with how today went, and it’s just time to finish this thing off,” Warner said earlier. 

You can watch the final events, scheduled to begin at 6:15 a.m. ET, at the video player below: 

Watch coverage of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. 0:00

Meanwhile, Georgia Ellenwood of Langley, B.C., was in 18th place in women’s heptathlon through six events. It’s her Olympic debut, and she has the 800-metre event to go on Thursday. 

Riding to bronze

Canadian Lauriane Genest cycled to bronze in the women’s keirin at the Izu Veldrome on Thursday.

The 23-year-old of Lévis, Que., started at the back of the pack, patiently jostling with other riders. As the bell for the final lap rang, Genest dashed forward, slipped through and secured the bronze. 

Kesley Mitchell, also of Canada, ended the race in fifth. 

De Grasse’s golden moment

Canada’s Andre De Grasse finally has his gold medal.

In the ceremony held on Thursday, De Grasse sealed his honour of being the first Canadian to win the men’s 200-metre in 93 years.

The 26-year-old from Markham, Ont., completed his set of Olympic medals as he hung the gold around his neck and the Canadian anthem rang out in the Olympic Stadium. 

“It feels great. It’s heavy, my neck’s hurting a bit but it’s all worth it,” De Grasse said. “It feels surreal and I can’t believe I’ve got my first Olympic gold medal.

“I couldn’t sleep. Last night I was just so excited and so pumped up…now it’s finally a dream come true.”

He still has one race in Tokyo left to come, the men’s 4×100-metre relay team final. 

WATCH | Andre De Grasse receives his Olympic gold medal: 

Andre De Grasse from Markham, Ont. receives the gold medal for his victory in the men’s 200-final. 4:32

14-year-old wins gold with 3 perfect dives

When China’s Quan Hongchan dives, it’s magical. 

The 14-year-old had two dives with perfect scores — 10s across the board — in the women’s 10-metre platform final. 

The teenager’s entries into the water were like a hot knife through butter — effortless. 

She won gold, while her fellow Chinese competitor Chen Yuxi took silver at age 15. Australia’s Melissa Wu captured bronze. 

Karate kicks off

Karate has officially debuted at the Olympic Games, with athletes taking to the tatami at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo.

The Olympics have two styles of competition: kumite — sparring — and kata —  detailed, traditional movements from a selection of 102 forms recognized by the World Karate Federation.

The first-ever medal, a kata bronze, went to Hong Kong’s Grace Lau Mo-sheung. Her eyes welled with tears when the karateka found out she had won.

Here are some views from the competition so far:

A quick update on Canada’s soccer game

The Canadian women’s soccer team gold-medal match against Sweden has been rescheduled. 

Following concerns from the countries’ soccer organizations that the heat would be dangerous for players, the game was moved from the daytime to evening.

Player will now storm the pitch Friday evening at 9 p.m. in Tokyo at Yokohama Stadium. In Canada, that’s Friday at 8 a.m. ET.