Airdronian comes home with two medals from Pan-American Games

Airdronian and George McDougall alumnus, Olivia McMurray, won two medals at the Pan-American Games last week in Santiago, Chile.

McMurray earned her way onto the Canada rowing roster by helping them qualify for the Pan-American Games earlier this year.

Being a mini-Olympic, the Pan American Games only happens once every four years. It is a continental multi-sport event in the Americas featuring summer sports.

McMurray participated in three different rowing events, here is how she finished:

• Women's Eight - Gold
• Women's Coxless Pair -Silver
• Mixed 8+ - Fourth

Being a part of the Calgary Rowing Club, McMurray had fellow members with her at the games, Abby Dent (McMurray's pair that she won silver with), Kendra Hartley and Shaye de Paiva.

Photo of the Women's Eight team. Photo provided by Angela and Brent Hartley.

"I've represented Canada twice before but not at this scale. I just feel like it was just such a privilege to be able to compete for Canada," stated McMurray.

For McMurray, going to Santiago for the games, wasn't a huge eye-opener, the qualifier for the games was held at the exact same venue, so McMurray already got to stay at the team hotel and race on the same course.

"The volunteers were incredibly nice and] all the teams were decked out in their countries' uniform, it was an awesome time."

When asked what her favourite part about the games outside of the water was getting to know new athletes from different countries.

"One guy from Uruguay actually tore something in his shoulder during a race, finished the race, and then ended up on the podium two more times that day; which is inspiring from certain countries that you don't often see at the World Rowing championships."

The Pan-American games started October 20 and will last until November 31.

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