London, ON. - With the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games (postponed from 2020) fast approaching, the Western Mustangs are excited to have many current and former members of the community as a part one of the most exciting and anticipated sporting events.

The Summer Olympics first occurred in 1896 and is now a tradition every 4 years. It is filled with intense competition and currently includes sports such as Track & Field, Rowing, Gymnastics, Rugby and so much more. Success at these games has changed the life of many athletes, and this year is particularly special for team Canada as they are sending a total of 371 athletes to Tokyo, the largest team in over 35 years.

This year's Olympics will not only feature Western Mustangs Alumni competing in their respective sports, but we are also thrilled to have a large number of Mustangs representing in coaching and officiating positions as well. 

Mustangs Athletes:

• Jill Moffatt (Class of' '19) - Women's Rowing, Lightweight Double Boat

• Jen Martins (Class of '14) - Women's Rowing,  Coxless 4

• Conor Trainor (Class of '13) - Men's Rugby 7's Team

• Julie-Anne Staehli (Class of '19), Current Cross Country Assistant Coach - Track & Field

• Breanne Nicholas (2 years at Western) - Women's Rugby 7's Team

• Max Lattimer (1 year at Western) - Men's Rowing, Lightweight Double Sculls

• Samantha Roberts - (4th Year Student) - Swimming, Representing Antigua & Barbuda

Mustangs Coaches:

• Michelle Darvill - Rowing

• Phil Marshall - Senior Women's Rowing

In addition to being coaches of Team Canada's Olympic Rowing teams, Darvill, & Marshall are both former Western student athletes themselves. Their years of experience in their sport will help their respective teams, and we are excited to watch all of their exceptional performances. 

One additional notable mention is Decathlon athlete Damian Warner who has qualified for and will be attending the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. While Warner is not a Western Mustang, he trains locally in London, ON and is coached by Western Mustangs Track & Field coaches Vickie Croley - Track & Field Head Coach & Dave Collins - Assistant Coach, Track & Field, Pole Vault. 

Mustangs Officials:

• Marnie McBean (Class of '97) - Chef De Mission

• Bill Donegan (Class of '79) - Olympic Jury

• Iain Brambell (Class of '98) - Director of High Performance for RCA

• Max Hirst (Class of '14) - Performance Analyst, Senior Women's Basketball National Team

• David Shoemaker (Class of '96) - CEO & Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee

• Mauricie Summers (Class of '19) - Rowing Technical Official for the Olympics & Paralympics

Like many of the athletes, all the listed officials are proud Western Alumni. In addition, McBean, Donegan, Brambell and Summers are also former Mustangs student athletes and found great success as part of the rowing team. Other notable alumni include CBC hosts Heather Hiscox (Class of '87) and Scott Russell (Class of '81), who will be covering the games. We will be cheering on the officials and the coaches as hard as we are cheering on the all the Mustangs athletes representing Canada.

The Mustangs and the entire Western community are so incredibly #PurpleandProud of all these individuals and we wish them the best of luck at the Tokyo Olympics, which kicks off Friday July 23, 2021 and runs through Sunday August 8, 2021. Watch for more information on our Mustangs Olympic athletes, coaches and officials, as well as features throughout July on the individual sports and student athletes who are competing at the Olympic games later this month.

Also featured in the Western News: Western News - Mustangs represent at Tokyo Olympics (westernu.ca)

Jill Moffatt Story: https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2021/7/23/communications-and-media-relations-mustang-olympians-alumna-jill-moffatt-to-compete-in-womens-rowing-lightweight-double-boat.aspx

Conor Trainor Story: https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2021/7/25/communications-and-media-relations-mustang-to-olympian-alumni-conor-trainor-to-represent-team-canada-in-mens-rugby-sevens.aspx

Samantha Roberts Story: https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2021/7/28/communications-and-media-relations-samantha-roberts-to-represent-antigua-barbuda-in-womens-50m-freestyle.aspx

Julie-Anne Staehli Story: http://https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2021/7/30/communications-and-media-relations-cross-country-assistant-coach-julie-anne-staehli-to-represent-team-canada-in-womens-5000m-race.aspx

Mustangs Coaches Story: https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2021/8/5/communications-and-media-relations-current-former-mustang-coaches-share-their-experience-training-olympians.aspx

Marnie McBean Story: https://westernmustangs.ca/news/2021/8/8/communications-and-media-relations-mustang-to-olympian-alumna-marnie-mcbean-shares-her-experience-as-team-canadas-chef-de-mission.aspx

Know of a current or former Mustang participating in the Tokyo Summer Olympics who isn't mentioned here? We'd love to hear about them. Reach out to us at communications@uwo.ca.