Home > Rio 2016

Coach of Andre De Grasse endorses racewalker Evan Dunfee for flag-bearer

The coach of three-time Olympic medallist Andre De Grasse gave a shoutout to racewalker Evan Dunfee on Saturday endorsing him as flag-bearer.

Evan Dunfee
August 20, 2016
Share on SMS

Game time.

A photo posted by Evan Dunfee (@evandunfee) on

Canada’s flag-bearer for the closing ceremony at the Olympics has yet to be decided but there is chatter about two potential representatives from athletics. Andre De Grasse, a three-time Olympic medallist, is one candidate as is Evan Dunfee, who placed fourth in the 50K racewalk on Friday.

De Grasse, 21, helped Canada to a bronze medal in the men’s 4x100m relay after winning bronze in the 100m and silver in the 200m. His coach, Stuart McMillan, suggested that Dunfee be Canada’s flag-bearer for the closing ceremony on Sunday by posting the following to Twitter.

The flag-bearer distinction is given to an athlete to carry the country’s flag into the Olympic stadium during the closing ceremony. The flag-bearer leads the team of athletes and is often chosen based on demonstration of the Olympic spirit and sportsmanship.

RELATED: Read Evan Dunfee’s full statement following his fourth-place finish in the 50K walk.

Dunfee has entered the conversation after he finished fourth in the 50K racewalk on Friday in a new national record. He and a Japanese athlete bumped with less than 2K to go in the race, which initially resulted in a disqualification and Dunfee being upgraded to bronze. However, the Japanese team protested the revised result and the Japanese athlete was reinstated meaning Dunfee finished fourth. Dunfee decided against pursuing the matter any further.

The 25-year-old Richmond, B.C. native released a statement Friday (see the full statement here), in which he said “I will sleep soundly tonight, and for the rest of my life, knowing I made the right decision. I will never allow myself to be defined by the accolades I receive, rather the integrity I carry through life.”

Many have come to recognize Dunfee for his integrity and class on the matter. Earlier in the race, he also helped a French walker recover from a collapse with some encouragement.

Dunfee talks about the 50K race on CBC

RELATED: Olympic racewalkers are faster, tougher than most runners.

The selection panel for Canada includes the president of the Canadian Olympic Committee, the chef de mission and representatives from the athletes commission and selection committee.

Of course, both the athletes may lose out to 16-year-old superstar Penny Oleksiak. The Toronto native became the first person born in 2000 or later to win an Olympic gold medal. She’s also the only Canadian to have won four medals at a single Games. She captured the hearts of many Canadians as she got the medal-spree started early on in the Olympics.

Dunfee seems to support Oleksiak for flag-bearer as he just posted the following to Twitter.

OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDALISTS!! Thanks so much to my whole relay you guys are amazing

A photo posted by Penny Oleksiak (@typicalpen) on

The flag-bearer could instead go to a veteran of the Olympics who never got a chance to stand on the podium. Team Canada has yet to announce who the athlete will be as of 5:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday.

Canada has produced one of its most successful Olympics ever so there’s no shortage of athletes to choose from. The nation has won 22 medals as of Saturday afternoon including six medals in athletics. Canadian athletes won just one medal in track and field (athletics) in London.

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

Best trail running gear for spring 2024

Explore our favourite trail running gear for short trips and longer treks, from watches to gaiters