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Meet our team sobeys athletes

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A banner image of Damian

Damian Warner

Team Canada, Decathlon

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Damian,
Do your best and have fun! 
We’re behind you no matter what.
Love, Jen.

Defending Gold Medalist Damian is chasing his third Olympic medal this summer in Paris. His family will be cheering him on as he takes the world stage.

Hobbies: Travel, playing hockey with son.

Role models: “My mother. If I’m able to be even just a little bit of what my mom was, I think that I’m heading in the right direction.”

Best advice: “My mom gave me the most important advice: you can do anything you sent your mind to. But you have to have people around you to help you get there.”

Favourite food: “Spaghetti and burgers. Also, my mom’s tradition was to make me cheesecake after competitions, so it’s something I always look forward to after competing.”

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A banner image of Ellie

Ellie Black

Team Canada, Decathlon

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Dear Ellie:
Focus on your goals
and enjoy the moment
– Love Mom

Elsabeth “Ellie” Black is Canada’s most decorated female artistic gymnast going into her fourth Olympic Games. Fun fact: "The Black” is a skill on the uneven bar named after her as she was the first gymnast to complete it.

Hobbies: Cooking, baking, music, and spending time outdoors to help balance herself.

Role models: “My parents are incredible role models. They have always inspired me to dream big, to not let anyone else set my limits, to live in the moment, to be true to myself, and to love what I do.

Feeding the dream: “My father has been encouraging and involved throughout my journey, telling me to enjoy what I do and embrace every moment.”

Favourite food: “I love oatmeal, eggs, and berries. After competing, I love a good protein bowl – a mix of protein, carbs, and veggies.”

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A banner image of Joshua

Joshua Liendo

Team Canada, Swimming

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Dear Josh:
Whatever you do,
do to the best of your ability
– From your whole family 

Joshua “Josh” Liendo is the first Black Canadian swimmer to win an individual medal at a major international championship, as well as the first to win a gold medal for his country.

Hobbies: Josh is a multi-instrumentalist who can play the guitar, violin, and bass.

Role models: Josh grew up idolizing NBA basketball phenom Allen “The Answer” Iverson.

Feeding the dream: Words of advice from Josh’s family and former coach will stay with him forever. “Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability” and, “Don’t let one negative result affect you.”

Favourite food: While his pre-competition meals are simple and nutritious, you’ll find Josh enjoying a bit of junk food afterwards.

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A banner image of Kate

Kate O’Brien

Team Canada, Para Cycling

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Kate:
Here you are, crushing it!
– From your wife Meghan

While we’ll see Kate compete in para cycling at this year’s Paralympic games after winning silver at Tokyo, many may know Kate O’Brien from her former bobsledder days.

Hobbies: “I took classical guitar since I was seven. In fact, I played for Robin (our son) when he was in utero, and he seems to love it now.”

Role models: “Very good question! I think one of my top role models would be my Grandpa.”

Feeding the dream: “My wife wrote me a card before I departed for Rio. ‘The past few months have been absolutely bananas, but here you are, CRUSHING IT.’ Helped me to take a step back from being stuck in my own head to see things as they are.”

Favourite food: “My mum’s vegetable soup; Meghan’s quinoa and roast potato salad; peanut butter, pickle, and ketchup sandwiches; Kraft Dinner; Sour Patch Kids.”

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A banner image of Mellissa & Brandie
A banner image of Mellissa & Brandie

Melissa Humana-
Paredes

Team Canada, Beach Volleyball

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Melissa,
You make me the proudest Dad.
Create poetry in motion.
Love, Dad.

Melissa and her teammate Brandie are ready to hit the sandy volleyball courts in Paris as they play in their first Olympics as a duo.

Hobbies: Going to concerts, swimming in the ocean, board games.

Role models: “My parents. I credit them for showing me what it means to be a true human – managing emotions, and how to take what life throws at you.”

Feeding the dream: “My dad has always encouraged me to create ‘poetry in motion’. I want people to see the joy I have in me, and see the dance I do, all to inspire and excite people to invest in sport and to support female athletes.”

Favourite food: “Pizza, like a massive pizza. The crust is very important. I get very upset when I see people not eating the crust.”

Brandie
Wilkerson

Team Canada, Beach Volleyball

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Brandie,
Que sera sera
– From your brother Travis

Hobbies: “I have always had a love for art and fashion, so I try to go to events, museums, and stay connected to my creativity.”

Role models: “I have an incredible group of women in my life like my mother, sister, and best friends that teach me daily what it’s like to live life fully and successfully.”

Feeding the dream: “I once read, ‘You have everything you need, you’re simply on the path to discovering it.’ And that has stayed with me in the pursuit of my goals as it’s kept me a student of the game and feeling truly confident and capable of accomplishing anything.”

Favourite food: “Pre-competition favourites include beets, yogurt, bread and honey, grilled veggies, rice dishes, dried fruit, and bars. For post-competition, I like a hearty salad, pizza, granola, pasta, fresh cut fruit.”

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A banner image of Phil

Phil Wizard

Team Canada, Breaking

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Phil,
We’re proud of you.
– Love, Mom and Dad

Not only will this be Phil’s first Olympics, it’s the first time his sport – breaking – will be included in the games.

Hobbies: “I love reading books, specifically fantasy, getting lost in different worlds. I love video games, anime, cartoons, movies.”

Role models: “I don't really have a role models, never did. But I find characteristics and qualities that I admire and strive for in everyone around me.”

Feeding the dream: “My entire family has always been encouraging and supportive in their own ways. Sometimes obvious, and some in subtle ways.”

Favourite food: “Too many to count. I have a sweet tooth, so post (and sometimes pre) competition I’ll have some good ice cream, cheesecake, or tiramisu. I also love Italian food, so pizza and pasta. Sushi is also up there.”

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Stefan Daniel

Team Canada, Para Triathlon

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Stefan,
This is your time to shine.
Trust the process; give it your all!
-Your brother Christian

This is Stefan’s third Paralympic Games, where he’s hoping to continue his medal streak representing Canada.

Hobbies: Hanging out with friends.

Role models: “Michael Phelps was my hero growing up. Watching him in Beijing was when I realized that I wanted to compete when I was older.”

Feeding the dream: “My dad is my biggest supporter. Putting me into sport even with my disabilities and making me do everyday things normal people would do helped my development as a person.”

Favourite food: “Before a competition I’ll have pasta or pizza. The day of, I’ll eat a bagel with peanut butter and banana, and some coffee. But after competing, I’ll have a burger.”

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