OLYMPIC PREVIEW:Olympic brand in Canada and the world looks for a recovery in Rio

The Canadian Olympic Committee and Own The Podium say their goal is a top-12 ranking among countries in total medals won when the flame is extinguished Aug. 21.

It was the same objective four years ago in London but Canada fell short, finishing tied for 13th with 18 medals.

“Anything higher than 18 would be significant success,” OTP chief executive officer Anne Merklinger said.

Canada ranks in the world’s top five countries in winter sport. But expect Canada to remain firmly in the second tier of countries in Rio chasing the few medals left over by the top 10 nations.

Canada’s track and field team is projected to lead the medal charge.

A strong medal opportunity disappeared, however, when tennis star Milos Raonic dropped out due to health concerns, “including the uncertainty around the Zika virus.”

How the absence of Russian athletes suspended for doping will impact Canada’s medal count is a still-evolving storyline. The latest count is almost 90 banned Russians, but appeals are likely.

But if the world’s track and field governing body continues to uphold the ban on the entire Russian track team, Merklinger says it won’t necessarily mean a medal bonanza for Canada’s sprinters, jumpers and throwers.

“The events where those particular athletes are very strong from Russia are not events where Canada has strong medal potential,” she explained.

The Canadian Olympic Committee, meanwhile, has spent the last six months trying to regain the confidence of its athletes and the public following the resignation of president Marcel Aubut amid allegations of sexual harassment.

Aubut did not face charges and subsequently apologized for his behaviour. His replacement Tricia Smith, a former rower promoted from vice-president, inherited an organization in turmoil.

The fallout continued when Jean-Luc Brassard quit as Canada’s chef de mission in April. Former Olympic cyclist Curt Harnett stepped in to reprise his role of last year’s Pan American Games in Toronto.

Whether the upheaval has impacted the COC’s ability to support its 313 athletes, plus 205 coaches and support staff, in Rio will be answered in the coming days.

Canada’s 2012 chef de mission Mark Tewksbury believes the COC has emerged from the crisis in time for Rio.

“They know what they’re doing and they’ll protect the team,” he said earlier this year.

Basketball player Shona Thorburn of Hamilton doesn’t anticipate gaps in COC support in the village or in competition.

“We’re very well taken care of with the COC,” she said. “They really do try and put us in the best possible situation for us to be prepared and only have to concentrate on basketball.”

Raonic joined a number of high-profile international athletes who opted out citing concerns about the mosquito-borne virus Zika. No other Canadian athlete has withdrawn at this point.

“I’m personally not concerned,” said beach volleyball player Chaim Schalk of Red Deer, Alta. “We competed there in the summer when the bugs are way worse and we had zero issues with mosquitoes. Obviously (we’re) taking every precaution with repellent and whatnot though.”

The Canadian team also seems undaunted about polluted water at competition venues.

“I think I’m super-human so even if there is bacteria in the water, I feel I can resist it,” joked open-water swimmer Richard Weinberger of Surrey, B.C.

“All my focus is on the race and being part of an epic race and nothing is going to get in the way of that.”

Most of the Canadian team is familiar with Rio as athletes in at least 30 of 37 sports have been there in recent years for test events or training camps, according to the COC.

Canada hasn’t broken the 20-medal barrier at a Summer Games since the 22 earned in 1996.

The country has flatlined in total medals and regressed in gold. Canada won a single gold in London after claiming three in Beijing in 2008.

Total medals, not gold, is the standard set by the COC and Own the Podium.

Canada initially won 18 medals in 2008 before shot-putter Dylan Armstrong’s belated bronze bumped the total to 19 last year.

Data indicates Canada is trending stronger into Rio than it was into London in terms of medal potential.

Twenty-one athletes won a medal at the most recent world championship in their sport compared to 17 before London, according to OTP. Thirty-eight finished top five compared to 31 prior to 2012.

There is also a potential slingshot effect from last summer’s Pan Am Games, where the host Canadian team finished second to the United States with 219 medals.

Own The Podium directs $36 million in taxpayer money annually to Olympic and Paralympic summer athletes based on medal potential.

The “targeted” funding approach is currently under review by the federal government. Rio is a report card on how well Canada’s high-performance sport system is working.

But for now, it’s up to the athletes to put on a show for those watching.

“The podium potential athletes heading to Rio will be able to compete in the Games knowing Canada has done everything possible for them to perform at their best,” Merklinger said.

Lori Ewing and Josh Clipperton contributed to this story.

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Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

OLYMPIC PREVIEW:Olympic brand in Canada and the world looks for a recovery in Rio

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