Former Varsity Blues rowing sensation, Michael Braithwaite, has been selected to compete in biggest regatta of his life - the 2012 Olympic Games - as announced by Rowing Canada Aviron and the Canadian Olympic Committee. 

Braithwaite is one of 30 rowers that make up its seven-crew Olympic team flying to England for next month’s Games. 
 
"We are so proud of this terrific group of athletes and coaches, who train in London and Victoria,” said Dr. Michael Murphy, President of Rowing Canada Aviron.  “On July 28, the Olympic regatta begins and I believe our rowers are poised for greatness!"
 
“We’ve got a great mixture of experience and new energy in our rowers nominated to the Canadian Olympic Team roster,” said Mark Tewksbury, Canadian Olympic Team Chef de Mission for London 2012. “It’s great to see Canada’s legacy of excellence in Olympic Rowing is in safe hands.”
 
The team has a mix of Olympic veterans, including legendary coxswain Lesley Thompson-Willie who was today named to her eighth Olympic team, and several first-time Olympians, including Braithwaite. In 2008 at the Games in Beijing, Canada brought home four medals (gold, silver and two bronze).

As a member of the Blues rowing team, Braithwaite claimed an OUA bronze medal in the heavyweight double in 2007 and then a silver in 2009. The two-time team MVP capped off his intercollegiate career with an OUA gold medal and CURA championship in the single sculls, ultimately claiming the 2009 oarsman of the year award for his outstanding achievement. 
 
The 2012 Olympic regatta will be held at Dorney Lake, the world-class rowing and flat-water canoeing centre set in spectacular 450-acres of parkland near Windsor.
 
Nominated athletes, in no particular order: 

Women's 8+:
(10 women announced to Olympic women’s eight, which includes the alternate yet to be named)
Ashley Brzozowicz (London, ON)
Janine Hanson (Winnipeg, MB)
Krista Guloien (Port Moody, BC)
Darcy Marquardt (Richmond, BC)
Natalie Mastracci (Thorold, ON)
Andreanne Morin (Montreal, QC)
Cristy Nurse (Georgetown, ON)
Lesley Thompson-Willie (London, ON)
Rachelle Viinberg (Regina, SK)
Lauren Wilkinson (North Vancouver, BC)

Men's 2-:
David Calder (Victoria, BC)
Scott Frandsen (Kelowna, BC)

Men's 2x: 
Michael Braithwaite (Duncan, BC)
Kevin Kowalyk (Winnipeg, MB)

Men's 4-: 
William Dean (Kelowna, BC)
Anthony Jacob (Vancouver, BC)
Derek O'Farrell (Montreal, QC)
Michael Wilkinson (North Vancouver, BC)
 
Men's 8+:
Gabe Bergen (100 Mile House, BC)
Jeremiah Brown (Cobourg, ON)
Andrew Byrnes (Toronto, ON)
Will Crothers (Kingston, ON)
Douglas Csima (Oakville, ON)
Robert Gibson (Kingston, ON)
Malcolm Howard (Victoria, BC)
Conlin McCabe (Brockville, ON)
Brian Price (Belleville, ON)
 
Lightweight Women's 2x: 
Lindsay Jennerich (Victoria, BC)
Patricia Obee (Victoria, BC)
 
Lightweight Men's 2x: 
Morgan Jarvis (Winnipeg, MB)
Douglas Vandor (Dewittville, QC)

Coaches: 
Allison Dobb
John Keogh
Alan Morrow
Terry Paul
Michael Spracklen
Kenny Wu
 
Source - Rowing Canada Aviron