The government of British Columbia is thrilled to be again congratulating winning Olympians - this time, the Canadian women's eights rowers, announced Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

The team added to the Canadian medal haul Thursday by finishing second in the final in London with a time of six minutes 12.06 seconds. The Americans captured the gold medal in the race and the Netherlands won bronze.

The crew trains out of Fanshawe Lake in Ontario, but three members of the team are from B.C. It is the third consecutive day that B.C. athletes have medalled at the London 2012 Summer Games.

The crew's coxswain, 52-year old Lesley Thompson-Willie, set two new records, becoming the first Canadian athlete to win a medal in five different Games and the first rower to compete in seven Olympic Games. It was a first medal win for the rest of the rowing team.

The medal marks the seventh for Canada and the fourth for B.C. athletes.

Quote:

Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"Congratulations to the women's eights rowing team for a hard-fought race and well-deserved medal in a memorable week of Olympic competition. The dedication and phenomenal performance of this crew has inspired us all. Well done!"

Quick Facts:

Team members (hometown in brackets)

• Lesley Thompson-Willie - coxswain (London, ON)
• Andréanne Morin (Montreal, QC)
• Darcy Marquardt (Richmond, BC)
• Ashley Brzozowicz (London, ON)
• Krista Guloien (Port Moody, BC)
• Rachelle Viinberg (Regina, SK)
• Natalie Mastracci (Thorold, ON)
• Lauren Wilkinson (North Vancouver, BC)
• Janine Hanson (Winnipeg, MB)
• Coaches: Al Morrow (lead coach), John Keogh (senior coach, women's eight)
• The women's eights team trains out of Fanshawe Lake, London, ON.

Learn More:

Canadian Olympic Committee: http://olympic.ca/

London 2012: http://www.london2012.com/rowing/

Contact:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677
250 208-4028 (cell)