A trio of Abbotsford natives are set to represent Canada and take on the world’s very best in a few weeks’ time.
Soccer player and two-time Olympian Sophie Schmidt, volleyballer Steve Marshall, along with field hockey player Adam Froese are taking their talents to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics, which run from Aug. 5 to 21.
Schmidt won a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and also competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Her decorated career has seen her win medals at both the Pan American Games and CONCACAF tournaments.
She was also part of Team Canada at FIFA World Cups in 2007, 2011 and 2015. From 2011 to 2015, Schmidt played in 76 consecutive international matches for Canada.
Making his first appearance at the Olympics is former Trinity Western University Spartan Adam Froese.
However, wearing the red and white is nothing new for the field hockey star, as he has more than 130 senior national caps since making his international debut in 2009.
Froese won silver medals at the Pan American Games in 2011 and 2015, the Pan American Junior Championships in 2012 and the Pan American Cup in 2013. He has also represented Canada in the sport at the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and 2010.
Also making his Olympics debut is TWU grad Steve Marshall. He helped the Canadian team qualify back in June after the team finished fourth at FIVB World Olympic Qualification Tournament.
He plays professionally in Europe, and has also competed at a high level in beach volleyball. Marshall was a key part in TWU’s national championship volleyball win in 2012.
Other Olympians with Abbotsford connections include rower Lisa Roman, who was a former student at the University of the Fraser Valley, and Alison Jackson, who is going to Brazil as an alternate with the cycling team.
For more on the Canadian Olympic team, visit olympic.ca/athletes.
