By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

“Just So Much Emotion”; Ashley Steacy Helps Bring the Bronze Home

Aug 26, 2016 | 12:28 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Another local Olympian is back in Lethbridge after helping the Canadian women’s rugby sevens team reach a podium position.
 
After a team decision to miss out on the opening ceremonies, Ashley Steacy and fellow teammates played for the first three days of the Rio games.
 
Her parents, husband, brother and a few other supporters cheered on, as Ashley joined the ladies in their fight to the bronze medal match. They were paired up against Great Britain, and won 33-10.
 
“I was on the sidelines. My heart was beating, I was looking back and forth between my teammates and my coach. We were just like, ‘This is happening. We’re taking the bronze medal!’ Then the hooter blew, and the five of us sprinted out to our teammates. We were ecstatic, jumping on each other, lots of us crying. Just so much emotion,” Steacy recounted.
 
While gold was obviously their original goal, Steacy says that the team really showed Canada what kind of rugby they can play anyway.
 
Since they had to miss the opening ceremonies, the ladies walked with the entire Canadian team in the closing ceremonies. Steacy remembered walking into the stadium, and being in awe seeing all the athletes and excitement surrounding them.
 
Now that she’s back home, Ashley is enjoying some time off with her family, but will continue training in Lethbridge before heading to Victoria on another tour.