One would, perhaps aptly, need 20/20 vision into the future to predict who will compete in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Yet tentative form charts are already emerging among the 15- to 21-year-old group of elite athletes who could be there.
But the bloom of early promise can fade; and latedevelopers will emerge out of seemingly nowhere over the next seven years. Those are the pitfalls of any such prediction.
That noted, here are 20 for 20 — Islanders who have never previously qualified for the Olympics but who are on a trajectory to possibly be performing in Tokyo.
1. PAT KAY (Rugby Sevens): The Duncan star is one of the most intriguing players on the Canadian horizon and will be 27 and in the heart of his career when Tokyo 2020 rolls around.
2. ERIC HEDLIN (Openwater swimming): The newest Victoria swim sensation, who will be 27 at Tokyo, has already arrived with his stunning breakout silver medal this summer at the 2013 world aquatics championships.
3. SHANICE MARCELLE (Volleyball): The Spectrum grad represents the future of the Canadian women's volleyball program and could get to Rio 2016 en route to Tokyo 2020.
4. STACIE ANAKA (Wrestling): Wrestling is almost assured to remain in the Olympic program for 2020 and beyond following a vote today. That will be good news for this tenaciously committed Reynolds grad, ranked No. 4 in the world.
5. LAUREN YEARWOOD (Basketball): The Grade 11 Oak Bay High star was an impact performer in leading Canada to the silver medal behind the U.S. at the 2013 FIBA Americas U-16 championships in Mexico.
6. BRAD GUNTER (Volleyball): The rising Courtenay player can seriously strike the ball and was a standout for Canada at the 2013 FIVB U-21 world championships in Turkey.
7. MADDIE SECCO (Field hockey): This Stanford sophomore all-Pac 12 sensation, out of Oak Bay High, is already capped for Canada.
8. WILL BROTHERS (Swimming): The Victoria swimmer got his feet wet by qualifying for the 2013 world championships as an 18-year-old with future Olympics in sight.
9. ADAM KEENAN (Hammer): The Victoria thrower, with a specialty in the hammer, is breaking age-group, youth and junior records that were long held by Dylan Armstrong.
10. MATT SHARPE (Triathlon): Simon Whitfield's Olympic legacy is inspiration and curse to those following him. Victoria's Sharpe is Canada's top U-23 men's triathlete.
11. ALLIE DeLARGE, KEIRA FLANAGAN, DEBORAHL SNELL, MORGAN CATHREA, MICKEY AYLARD, MARTIN BARAKSO. (Rowing): Island rowers who were double gold medallists at the 2013 Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Que.
12. THOMAS RIVA (Track): Is the UVic Vikes runner from Qualicum Beach the next thing for Canada in middle distance?
13. NAOMI KO: (Golf): The precocious 15-year-old from Royal Colwood will be rounding into her international prime by 2020.
14. AGNES ESSER (Discus): The Duncan thrower won gold at this summer's Canada Games.
15. COURTNEY HATTIE (Diving): Will the gold medallist from the 2013 Canada Summer Games continue Victoria Boardworks' presence on the international boards?
16. ANDREW GRANT (Track cycling):Westshore Velodrome produced an Olympic medallist at London 2012 in Victoria's Gillian Carleton. The Comox Valley's Grant, the U-19 Canadian men's sprint champion, is the latest to watch out of the facility.
17. SPENCER CROWLEY (Rowing): The Lantzville rower stepped up to the national side for the 2013 world championships.
18. KATHLEEN LEAHY (Field hockey): The 19-yearold Oak Bay High grad is one of Canada's brightest future prospects.
19. MIKE FUAILEFAU (Rugby sevens): Ditto for this SMUS grad in his sport.
20. ADAM DEVOS (Road cycling): The next thing out of the Island after Ryder could be this 19-year-old Victorian.
