The future — and present — of Canada's Olympic success is female.
That much was plainly evident this weekend when the national women's basketball and soccer teams each qualified for their respective tournaments in the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In basketball, No. 4 Canada clinched its spot in Japan with an 80-50 win over Sweden on Saturday. Led by Natalie Achonwa's 16 points, the Canadians rode a furious second half in which they outscored the Swedes by 24 in order to claim victory. It was their second win of the qualifying tournament so far, as they took down host Belgium 61-56 in a hard-fought contest on Thursday.
MORE: Where, when, roster, how to watch Canada at the FIBA Olympic qualifiers
They’re in!
— Sporting News Canada (@sportingnewsca) February 8, 2020
Canada has qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in women’s basketball. 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/sFjPEOFMGk
The berth in Tokyo means Canada has qualified for three straight Olympic women's basketball tournaments.
Huitema powers Canada to women's Olympic soccer berth
Less than 24 hours prior to the basketball team clinching its Olympic spot, the Canadian women's soccer team booked its ticket to Tokyo with a nervy 1-0 victory over Costa Rica in the semifinal of the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifiers.
It took a 72nd-minute goal by the rising teenage star, Jordyn Huitema, to put Canada on top in what was ultimately a 1-0 victory on Friday night in Carson, Calif. The Costa Ricans were worthy foes in the win-and-you're-in match, with Canada's at-times, one-dimensional attack belying its advantages in possession and experience.
After several close calls, Canada finally broke through after Deanne Rose got free along the right wing and fed a pass to Huitema, whose point-blank shot caromed off the post before fortuitously bouncing back to her for an easy tap-in.
It wasn’t pretty, but Jordyn Huitema’s 72nd-minute goal was all Canada’s women needed to book a spot at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/w9PyeGThCj
— Sporting News Soccer (@SN_CA_Soccer) February 8, 2020
The two-time reigning bronze medallists, Canada will be looking to reach the podium for a third straight Olympic Games, reaching the quadrennial tournament four consecutive times.