Canadian Olympic Committee – LIMA, PERU (August 11, 2019) – Becoming the first woman to win back-to-back individual all-around titles at the Pan American Games is one of the many records Ellie Black proudly  accomplished at Lima 2019. However, when she flew back home to Nova Scotia mid-Games following the artistic gymnastics competition, little did she know her proudest moment was still to come.

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) officially announced on Sunday that Black will lead the Canadian delegation as the Closing Ceremony flag bearer, capping off her exceptional run at Lima 2019.

“I feel incredibly honoured to have been selected as the flag bearer for the Lima 2019 Closing Ceremony,” said Black, who received the news from Team Canada’s Lima 2019 Chef de Mission Douglas Vandor. “It means so much to have this opportunity to hold our Canadian flag high and proud. The Canadian athletes’ performances were inspiring and so exciting to follow while in Lima and back at home. I’m very proud of everything we were able to achieve and I am so excited to lead this amazing team as we march into the stadium!”

At Lima 2019, Black also became the first Canadian gymnast to win five Pan American Games gold medals and also earned the title of Canada’s all-time leader in gymnastics medals won at a Pan American Games with 10 medals total.

“For me, this is so exciting for Canadian sport and Canadian gymnastics” said the 23-year-old. “To have great results and make history for my country, but most importantly inspiring others to dream big, go for your goals, and break down barriers. It’s special to share these results with my whole team!”

After a couple of short days rest, Black is already preparing for the next challenge. She was at the gym training and coaching at her home club Halifax ALTA when the call came from Vandor.

“Right now we are focused on training hard for the World Championships in October where we have a chance to qualify a full team for the Tokyo Olympics. Pan Ams was a great stepping stone to build on towards Worlds. After Worlds we will keep building our team for next summer!”

Team Canada’s Chef de Mission sees Black’s appointment as one of the many reasons to call Lima 2019 mission accomplished.

“What an incredible two weeks it’s been,” said Vandor. “There have been so many amazing performances by our Canadian athletes and so many special moments. One of those moments was when Ellie became the most decorated Canadian gymnast ever at a Pan American Games. With performances like that, along with the athletes and teams that secured spots for Tokyo 2020, Team Canada can be proud knowing our mission was accomplished.”

COC President Tricia Smith, who was elected to the Panam Sports Executive Committee while in Lima, was fully supportive of the flag bearer selection and was very proud of Team Canada’s run at Lima 2019.

“Ellie is a super role model, a team leader and an inspiration for the next generation of gymnasts,” said Smith. “An all round solid athlete, she has represented our country with incredible poise and grace, and will no doubt do the same as our nation’s Closing Ceremony flag bearer. Ellie and the rest of our athletes have made us proud here both on and off the field. And thanks to the people of Peru whose warm welcome have made this Games special.”

Below are the list of top highlights from Team Canada at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games:

TOKYO 2020 QUALIFICATION:

• Day 3: Equestrian – Dressage Team
• Day 5: Artistic Swimming – Duet 
• Day 5: Artistic Swimming – Team
• Day 12: Equestrian – Jumping Team
• Day 14: Water Polo – Women’s Team
• Day 14: Sailing – Men’s 49er
• Day 16: Archery – Men’s Individual Recurve

RECORDS (IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER AS OF DAY 15):

• Taekwondo has most successful day in Canadian Pan American Games history, winning three silvers and one bronze medal;
• Equestrian dressage team claims Canada’s first dressage team gold in 28 years;
• Ellie Black the first woman to win back-to-back individual all-around titles at the Pan American Games;
• Cody Young first-ever Canadian to compete in surfing in the Pan American Games (sport debut);
• Triathlon mixed relay team climbs Pan American Games podium for the first time (discipline debut);
• Ellie Black becomes Canada’s all-time leader in gymnastics medals won (nine) at the Pan American Games;
• Ellie Black becomes first Canadian gymnast to win five Pan American Games gold medals;
• Waterski team sets Canadian record by winning 10 medals at one Pan American Games;
• Eight squash medals breaks Canadian Pan American Games record (6 – 2015, 2011, 2003, 1995);
• Lois Betteridge and Keenan Simpson first-ever Canadians to compete in extreme canoe/kayak – slalom at Pan American Games (discipline debut);
• Kelsey Mitchell posts Pan American Games record in the 200m sprint (track cycling) with a time of 10.890;
• Maggie Coles-Lyster and Miriam Brouwer win Canada’s first-ever medal (silver) in the Madison (discipline debut);
• Sara Groenewegen (softball) throws a perfect game in Canada’s 8-0 win over Venezuela;
• Natasha Wodak breaks Pan American Games record in the women’s 10,000m with a time of 31:55.17;
• Canada’s women’s field hockey team advances to a Pan American Games final for the first time since 1991;
• Brittany Crews throws 19.07m to break her own Canadian record;
• Fencing sets Canadian Pan American Games record for most medals won in one Games with nine;
• Marco Arop breaks Pan American record and sets personal best with a time of 1:44.25 in the men’s 800m;
• Geneviève Lalonde sets a Pan American record of 9:41.45 in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Josh Su, Media Relations Lead
Canadian Olympic Committee
Peru: +51 1 920 259 209
WhatsApp: 647-464-4060
E: jsu@olympic.ca 

Julie Forget, Gymnastics Media Attaché
Canadian Olympic Committee
Peru: +51 1920173142
WhatsApp: 819-210-2064
E: jforget@gymcan.org