Canadian pride rides on the shoulders of the more than 4000 athletes who have competed in the Summer Games and won more than 240 medals:

* In 1996, Donovan Bailey became the world's fastest man in a time of 9.84 seconds and also led Canada's 4 x 100 relay team to gold

* Victor Davis put in a stellar performance in the pool during the 1984 games with one gold and two silver medals

* Rower Silken Laumann came back from a training accident that resulted in a horrific leg injury to win bronze in 1992 and silver in 1996, bringing her lifetime Olympic medal total to three

* At the age of 38, Lori-Ann Muenzer became the first Canadian cyclist to win a gold medal at the 2004 games in Athens

* In 1932, Hilda Strike won silver in the 100-metre women's sprint, but 50 years later the results were challenged when the gender of the gold medalist came into doubt

* In 1988, Ben Johnson won gold at the Seoul Olympics but was later stripped of his medal when he tested positive for steroids

* Perdita Felicien, gold medal hopeful in 2004, tripped on the first hurdle in the finals and did not finish the race

* Synchronized swimmer Sylvie Frechette overcame personal tragedy to win gold at the 1992 Olympics, but a judging controversy left her with silver until 16 months later.

And more amazing and inspiring Canadian Olympic stories…