Gold medallists Katie Vincent, Phil Kim close Canada's successful Pan Am Games
CBC
Paddler Katie Vincent and breaker Philip Kim were named Canada's flag-bearers for Sunday's closing ceremony of the Pan American Games.
Vincent, from Mississauga, Ont., won sprint canoe gold with Sloan Mackenzie.
"It is a huge honour to be named flag-bearer," Vincent, 27, said in a statement to the Canadian Olympic Committee. "All my heroes have done it, it's a huge opportunity to be following in the footsteps of paddling greats like Adam van Koeverden and Mark Oldershaw, shining a light on our sport."
Vancouver's Kim, known as Phil Wizard in breakdancing circles, became the first Pan Am Games gold medallist in men's breaking.
WATCH | Full replay of 2023 Pan American Games closing ceremony:
Kim was emotional when the COC told him he would carry the Canadian flag at Sunday's ceremony.
"I cried a little bit, to be honest," said the 26-year-old. "I'm proud to be Canadian and it feels like Canada I guess is proud of me, which is a really good feeling.
"This was my first time at the Pan Am Games, my first time in a village and a Games environment. It was really cool meeting other athletes and this experience overall has been amazing."
Kim also secured a quota spot to represent Canada at the Paris Olympics next summer.
Surfer Sanoa Dempfle-Olin of Tofino, B.C., and boxers Tammara Thibeault of Shawinigan, Que., and Wyatt Sharpe of Kennetcook, N.S., were also handed the coveted gold and white souvenir tickets to Paris after their events.
Another 19 athletes qualified Canada to compete in equestrian team dressage, eventing and show jumping as well as three sailing classes and two shooting divisions.
WATCH | Canada's gold medal winning breakdancer earns Olympic spot:
With 164 medals — 46 gold, 55 silver and 63 bronze — Canada had its greatest haul from a non-hosted Pan Am Games since 1995 in Mar del Plata, Argentina. The 46 gold is one shy of its record for a non-home Pan Am Games.
Winning medals, qualifying for Paris, competing for the first time in a multi-sport Games, and for the first time in that environment without COVID-19 restrictions, were among the Canadians' many goals and objectives in Chile.