On Tuesday, Camryn Rogers clinched gold in the women’s hammer throw, marking a historic achievement for Canada just days after fellow Canadian Ethan Katzberg won gold in the men’s event. Both athletes hail from British Columbia—Rogers from Richmond and Katzberg from Nanaimo. Their triumphs, though surprising to some, were long anticipated by local sports officials.

Garrett Collier, Program Manager for Track and Field at BC Athletics, expressed his excitement about the victories. “It was fantastic to see both of them perform so well, especially with the timing allowing us to watch in Vancouver,” Collier told 1130 NewsRadio. “Camryn’s dedication through rain and snow, along with her hard work with Coach Mo during her college years, has culminated in this extraordinary moment. Watching her achieve a long-held goal at the Olympics has been incredible.”

Collier acknowledged that hammer throw is not traditionally popular in Canada, but he highlighted the strong support from knowledgeable coaches in the province. “In BC, we have a unique focus on hammer throw, starting from a young age and even including it in high school championships, which is rare. This focus, combined with strong support from BC Athletics and talented coaches, has been crucial in developing our athletes,” he said.

Rogers, the reigning world champion, secured her gold medal with a throw of 76.97 meters on her fifth attempt, surpassing American Annette Echikunwoke, who took silver, and Chinese athlete Zhao Jie, who earned bronze. This win made Rogers Canada’s first-ever Olympic medalist in the hammer throw.

Katzberg, who also holds the world championship title, achieved his gold medal with a throw of 84.12 meters on his initial attempt, just short of the Olympic record. “It’s remarkable that Canada has won both the men’s and women’s hammer throw events at the same Games,” Team Canada noted.

Collier reflected on the remarkable achievements in BC, saying, “The success we’ve seen in BC is astonishing and hard to believe. We’re now part of the elite throwing community, and this success could lead to increased funding and opportunities for future athletes.”

Rogers previously made history at the Tokyo Olympics as the first Canadian woman to advance to the hammer throw final, finishing fifth and being the youngest finalist. Collier praised Rogers for her determination and her role as an ambassador for Canadian athletics. “Her commitment and personality have always stood out. She has overcome challenges with a smile and has been a role model for aspiring athletes,” he said.

Collier shared a personal connection with Rogers, recalling, “I’ve known Camryn since her early days in track and field. My father recruited her, and I took over coaching duties later. Our families are close, and she’s become a cherished member of our community.”

Rogers, known for her strong hugs and cheerful demeanor, has also achieved gold and silver at the world championships in recent years. With the best hammer throw of the Olympic season and several notable performances, Rogers and Katzberg’s victories have solidified their places in Canadian sports history.