At the Olympics in Paris, Skylar Park will captain a modest Canadian taekwondo squad.

Park and teammate Josipa Kafadar have been officially selected as the first athletes to represent Team Canada.

Skylar Park, pictured in October 2023, was one of two athletes announced to Canada’s Olympic taekwondo team on Tuesday. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press)

Skylar has actually headed to her second game.

Winnipeg’s Park and Josipa Kafadar from Burnaby, B.C., were selected for Canada’s Olympic taekwondo team on Tuesday, marking the first Canadian athletes to secure their spots for Paris.

Under the guidance of her coach and father Jae Park, 25-year-old Park competed in the 57-kilogram weight class, reaching the quarterfinals at Tokyo 2020.

Entering the Paris Games, she has her sights set on the podium after securing gold in five different events last year, which included her first Grand Prix title and a triumph at the Pan Am Games.

Park expressed, “Being able to represent Canada on any platform is always a tremendous honor, but to have the chance to represent your country on the world’s grandest sporting stage is truly extraordinary.”

“We are incredibly proud and thankful to have earned our spot in our second Olympic Games. I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to compete for the top of the Olympic podium this summer in Paris,” Park remarked.

Alongside Park is Olympic newcomer Kafadar, who secured her place by claiming second position in the 49-kg event at the Pan Am qualifying tournament in April.

At 23 years old, Kafadar has accumulated four medals since 2023, notably securing gold at the Luxembourg and British Opens. Additionally, she earned silver at the 2021 world juniors.

She expressed, “Being selected for the Canadian Olympic team has been a lifelong dream of mine. It’s something I’ve desired for as long as I can recall. The prospect of representing my country at such a significant event fills me with immense pride and determination.”

Kafadar is set to compete on August 7 at the Grand Palais in Paris, with Park following in the same venue the next day. The taekwondo competition spans from August 7 to August 10.

Kafadar is scheduled to participate on August 7 at the Grand Palais in Paris, and Park will follow suit at the same venue the following day. The taekwondo event will take place from August 7 to August 10.

“I’m thrilled to cheer on these athletes as they pursue their dreams and share in their journey. I’m eagerly anticipating seeing Canadian athletes shine in Paris.”