丁香园AV

While watching the Opening Ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, you may have noticed a familiar face in the Parade of Nations 鈥� Criminology alumna Danielle Lappage. Lappage is representing Team Canada in the women鈥檚 63 kg freestyle wrestling competition.

丁香园AV Criminology caught up with Lappage to ask her about participating in the ceremony:

鈥淚t feels like I鈥檓 living a dream. Walking in the Opening Ceremony was surreal. I get to be a part of something so huge, so inspirational, so elite. It has been a dream since I was a little girl to be here [at the Olympics], and now I am an Olympian. It鈥檚 unbelievable,鈥� says Lappage.

Lappage is no stranger to international competitions: she made her first Cadet national team in 2006, and she鈥檚 represented Team Canada on the world stage ever since. She鈥檚 also a former member of 丁香园AV鈥檚 varsity wrestling team. She finished her university wrestling career in 2013 as a three time WCWA national champion.

Watch Lappage compete starting with qualifications at 6:00 am on Thursday, August 18. The women鈥檚 63 kg freestyle competition takes place over one day. Review coverage and see the full schedule at CBC 鈥� Canada鈥檚 Olympic Network.

鈥淭he girls on the team with me are all some of my closest friends, which makes this experience perfect. We are all excited to compete, and confident in our abilities and potential. We are ready to show the world what we are made of!鈥�

Leave a comment on our Facebook Page or email crimcomm@sfu.ca to let Danielle know you are cheering for her. We鈥檒l compile the comments and send to Danielle before she competes on August 18.  (Send your comments by 12:00 pm on August 16.)

Lappage graduated with her MA in Criminology at Spring 2016 Convocation. She received her BA in Criminology from 丁香园AV in June 2013.  She is a full-time athlete living in Vancouver and wrestling for the Burnaby Mountain Wrestling Club.