Strathmore local to represent Team Canada in 2024 summer Olympics
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Photo Courtesy of Karen and Brian Sevick
Jessica Sevick, hailing from Strathmore, is headed to France to compete for her second time in the summer Olympic Games, representing Team Canada.
She will be competing in the women’s scull events. Previously in Tokyo, she participated on the eight-woman team, claiming gold, and as a pair, placing sixth.
“She used to do biathlon, and then she ended up sustaining an injury in soccer, and while in physio, she tried to recoup from a bad knee injury. Her physiotherapist suggested going down to a rowing club to strengthen her core,” said Karen Sevick, Jessica’s mother. “That was in 2016, and so she started rowing at that time. She was very mature at that time, and she loves the sport.”
Jessica Sevick made a name for herself competing over the following two years, leading up to the Pan Am Games in 2018. Winning there, according to Karen Sevick, paved the way for her entry onto the national team.
She also competed representing the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds while completing her Master’s Degree in experimental medicine.
Starting to row in 2016, Jessica Sevick was already 27 at the time, which is a much older introduction to the sport than many other athletes, though despite this, she took to competition well.
“(Training is like a) fulltime job, so they are usually rowing twice a day, and working out once to twice a day, weights and cross training in addition to that,” said Brian Sevick, Jessica’s father.
“Olympic athletes, really in any sport, really dedicate themselves completely to it because they work extremely hard to be at that level,” added Karen Sevick.
She explained Jessica, growing up in Strathmore, participated in cross country running and basketball, prior to starting in luge, then biathlon.
“She did club sports, and then did team sports outside of high school, but she also participated in school, and she had a really good upbringing in the sports system in Strathmore,” she said.
The Sevicks said they were extremely thrilled to be going out to see their daughter compete in the Olympics for the first time, as they were unable to join her in Tokyo during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2024 Olympic Games will officially open, July 26, with the scull classes launching the following day.
Jessica Sevick’s class will begin on July 29 and is scheduled to conclude Aug. 3. The venue for rowing events will be the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium. Thus far, Canada has claimed 43 Olympic medals in rowing events, including 10 golds, 17 silvers, and 16 bronze medals.