(Paris) In a splendid and packed Arena Bercy, the crowd had eyes, and voices, only for the French gymnasts. With cool heads, the Canadians did their job. They are going to the final.
Before going to Paris, the Canadian team took part in three training camps in different cities. Each time, they simulated a competition. Spectators were invited to attend in order to recreate different atmospheres. From total silence to excessive noise, to unanimous reactions like “aaah” or “boo”; the gymnasts experienced it all to be well prepared for Paris.
Apparently, it paid off on Sunday, during the qualifying day, when they were part of the same subdivision as the French.
Even though the crowd was ecstatic in front of the latter while the Canadians performed on another apparatus, the five representatives of the maple leaf knew how to ignore the noise. They finished the team competition with an overall score of 161.563, good for 6e rank.
PHOTO LIONEL BONAVENTURE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Aurelie Tran
“When I’m really focused, I feel like I can really hear less noise around me,” noted Quebecer Aurélie Tran. “That’s a good thing. It helped me focus. I really liked the crowd; even if it could distract us, it gave us a lot of energy.”
According to Ellie Black, the most experienced gymnast on the young team, what she and her teammates experienced Sunday was “one of the best experiences you can have.”
It’s hard when the crowd is that loud, but it’s also really special and magical. […] It’s tough when you’re on the beam and the crowd is going wild, but we did some practice on that plane because we knew it would be loud.
Ellie Black
It was on the beam, their third apparatus of the evening, that the Canadians had the most difficulty. Three of the four gymnasts who performed fell once. Clearly, they will try to adjust their aim for the final.
“When you step on the beam, you have to be confident,” said Ontario’s Cassie Lee. “When you’re confident, you know you can do it. We have to go out there and remember that we’ve been doing these routines for who knows how long. We know we can do them.”
“The sparkle in their eyes”
While Aurélie Tran is naturally reserved, her smile was anything but discreet on Sunday. The 18-year-old gymnast was officially an Olympian.
In the City of Lights, Tran wanted only two things: “stay healthy and have fun.” “I really had fun and stayed healthy!” she exclaimed, delighted.
She and Cassie Lee are the only two gymnasts on Team Canada who are competing in their first Games. When asked to talk about their emotions after the day, Ellie Black took the opportunity to share an anecdote.
PHOTO LOÏC VENANCE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Aurélie Tran practicing on the beam
“Before they went out today, they had a moment in the locker room. I could see the sparkle in their eyes, because they were at the Olympics. It touched me because that’s what the Olympics are about. It’s about being there and achieving your goal, your dream. There are only five girls in Canada who do that.” […] It was special to see that.”
Beside him, the two young athletes smiled with all their teeth.
In fact, all five athletes were smiling. No doubt, this day was a success.
“We just had to come together and believe in ourselves,” Black said. “We did that a little bit, then we did a little bit of gymnastics, and here we are. [en finale] ! »
French women are collapsing
PHOTO LOÏC VENANCE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The disappointment was great among the French gymnasts after the qualifications.
It was a tough day for the local heroes. The team’s biggest medal hope, Mélanie De Jesus Dos Santos, had arguably one of her worst days of competition ever. The Martinique native fell once on the uneven bars, then again on the beam. Tears began to flow as her team and the crowd tried to cheer her on: “Mélanie, Mélanie,” they chanted and clapped their hands. She fell to the floor again a few minutes later; it was heartbreaking. The gymnast was in tears by the end of the competition. The French women finished the day in 11e rank, out of the finals.
More finals for the Canadians
PHOTO ABBIE PARR, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ellie Black
In addition to qualifying in the team event, Ellie Black and Ava Stewart both finished in the top 24 in the all-around event, making them a fixture in the finals. “Wow! That’s all I have to say,” Stewart said after qualifying. […] My last Games didn’t go very well, so the fact that these are so much better, it makes me proud right now.” Black also earned her ticket to the vault final, as did Shallon Olsen. They will face American Simone Biles, who completely dominated this first day of competition.