Canada’s Tokyo 2020 men’s volleyball team announced

June 30, 2021 – Volleyball Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee have announced Canada’s men’s volleyball team nominated to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The team qualified in January 2020 at home in Vancouver after defeating Puerto Rico and winning the NORCECA Men’s Tokyo Qualification Tournament. Canada was the only undefeated team at the four-country event.

Canada is competing in men’s volleyball at back-to-back Olympic Games, following their quarterfinals appearance at Rio 2016. That marked Canada’s return to the men’s Olympic volleyball tournament after a 24-year absence.

The team recently completed the month-long Volleyball Nations League (VNL) tournament in Italy, capping off the campaign with five wins in a row, and finishing eighth overall.

“We are in the final stage of our preparation. We recently ended the Volleyball Nations League with more quality in our play and we want to build on this. The tournament will be tough with all opponents aiming for the same goal of the Olympic podium,” said Canada’s men’s team Head Coach Glenn Hoag. “Our group has a lot of maturity and this should help us deal with the different distractions and help keep our focus on playing our best.”

Of the 12-man roster, seven members have competed at an Olympic Games. Among the Olympians is team captain Gordon Perrin.

Nationality

Canada

Position

Outside Hitter

Current Team

Canada, Lokomotiv Novosibirsk

Past Teams

Beijing, Belogorie Belgorod, Piacenza, Resovia Rzeszow, Sada Cruzeiro, Thompson Rivers, Ural Ufa

Height

200cm

Weight

100

Spike Touch

353cm

Block Touch

329cm

Birth Date

August 17, 1989

Home Town

Creston, BC

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“It’s an honour as always to represent Canada on the world stage, and of course the Olympic Games hit different,” said Perrin. “We’ve spent a lot of time building this team, and there are a lot of people who aren’t on the roster of coaches and players that have contributed greatly. Since we competed in Rio we’ve gained some valuable experience as well as added some young dynamic players to the roster. I believe we are going to Tokyo to be on the podium.”

The team is currently attending a training camp in Turkey and will then move to Shiwa, Japan for its final Tokyo preparations.

Team Canada is in Pool A and plays its first match on July 24 (Day 1) against Italy. Men’s volleyball wraps up on August 7 (Day 15) with the bronze and gold medal matches. Volleyball will take place at the Ariake Arena.