From the moment she started playing rugby, Pamphinette Buisa had no doubts about her athletic future.

B次元官网网址淚 told myself that IB次元官网网址檓 going to be an Olympian,B次元官网网址� said Buisa, who wasnB次元官网网址檛 going to let anything get in the way of that goal.

While readying to board a plane and start the long journey to Tokyo on July 21, she knew her objective was soon to come to fruition.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e literally hours away from actually landing there, IB次元官网网址檓 just super excited that my dream is now a reality.B次元官网网址�

Buisa, 24, mostly looked forward to feeling like an Olympian and being able to take in every aspect of the Games alongside her womenB次元官网网址檚 rugby sevens teammates. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 very much just being there, being in the village, being with my teammates, representing our people.B次元官网网址�

She hopes that young girls will able to see themselves in the womenB次元官网网址檚 sevens team and know thereB次元官网网址檚 a place for them B次元官网网址� from player to management roles B次元官网网址� in high-level sports.

B次元官网网址淲e want to continue to break barriers and show that rugby is a sport that can encompass so many different attributes and skill sets,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淪ometimes you may not see (yourself represented), but if youB次元官网网址檙e committed, you can be the one representing those who arenB次元官网网址檛 there.B次元官网网址�

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Buisa sees the teamB次元官网网址檚 determination, grit and ability to compete in the moment as what will help them reach the podium, but their unity is what will define their push for to gold. They know one another and what makes each of their teammates unique, beyond who they are as athletes, but also the motivations that drive each of them on the pitch.

B次元官网网址淭he fact that we protect our team and what we believe in, what we stand for, I think that translates into our chemistry our cohesion,B次元官网网址� Buisa said. B次元官网网址淭he way that we come together is what will allow us to be elevated and go for gold.B次元官网网址�

The Canadian womenB次元官网网址檚 speed, agility, strength and evasiveness sets them apart, she said. She demonstrates those elements by being an aggressive and physical presence out on the pitch.

The sevens team is confident and ready to show the world the result of the work theyB次元官网网址檝e put in, Buisa said. Their goal is to stay consistent regardless of who theyB次元官网网址檙e playing at the Games, she added, noting reaching the podium is anyoneB次元官网网址檚 game right now.

B次元官网网址淵ou canB次元官网网址檛 underestimate the work that other countries are doing.B次元官网网址�

She and her teammates are cognizant about what it means to represent Canada in the wake of the recent findings of child remains at former residential school sites. The team will be honouring those children and showing solidarity with Indigenous communities at the Olympics, she said.

B次元官网网址淭hat holds dear to our hearts.B次元官网网址�

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