Meet the McMaster community members at the Paris 2024 Olympics

A portion of of a white flag with the Olympic logo on it and text that reads, 'Paris 2024.' The Eiffel Tower out of focus can be seen in the distance.

McMaster students, graduates, faculty and coaches are among the chosen few competing and supporting the Paris 2024 Olympics and the upcoming Paralympic Games. 

The international multi-sport event will run until Aug.11, and the Paralympic Games will get underway Aug. 28.  

Meet the McMaster community members taking part:  


Sophie Bukovec   

Sophie Bukovec, who played for the McMaster women’s volleyball team in the 2013-14 season, will be making her Olympic debut representing Canada in beach volleyball.  

During her season with the Marauders, Bukovec’s team won the 2013 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championship and she was named tournament MVP. 

Bukovec transferred to Long Beach State University, and later the University of Southern California, where she began playing beach volleyball.  

She will compete with her partner, Hamilton native Heather Bansley.  

 

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A post shared by Sophie Bukovec (@sophiebukovec)


Danny Demyanenko 

McMaster graduate Danny Demyanenko is making his Olympic debut as a member of Team Canada’s men’s volleyball team.  

The former student athlete graduated from the Justice, Political Philosophy & Law Program in 2017.  

He was named rookie of the year in 2013, and Athlete of the Year twice during his time at McMaster.  

Follow along with Demyanenko’s Olympic journey via his Instagram account. And, learn more about his path to Paris in The Hamilton Spectator.

 

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Puisand Lai 

Mechanical engineering student Puisand Lai will compete as part of Canada’s women’s national wheelchair basketball team at the Paralympic Games later this summer.  

It will be the second Paralympic Games for Lai, who was tapped for the national team right out of high school.  

She competed at the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2020, where Team Canada placed fifth. 

Learn more about Lai here.  


Stephen Maar 

Former student athlete and political science graduate Stephen Maar is among the 12 players representing the Canadian national men’s volleyball team.  

The award-winning athlete played for the McMaster men’s volleyball team from 2013-2016. In each of those four years, he helped the Marauders finish on the podium at Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Championships.  

Maar experienced an ankle injury in his third year at McMaster, but came back and turned professional in 2016 after graduating.  

In his Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2020, Maar helped Canada reach the quarterfinals. 

Follow along with Maar’s Olympic journey via his Instagram account. And, learn more about his path to Paris alongside teammate Demyanenko in The Hamilton Spectator.  

 

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A post shared by Stephen Maar (@stephenmaar)


Carson Mattern 

Carson Mattern, a student in the Arts & Science Program since 2022, is competing as a road cyclist for Team Canada.  

The 20-year-old is a three-time junior world champion and at one time he held the world junior record for the three kilometre individual pursuit. 

Follow along with Mattern’s journey via his Instagram account, and learn more about how he trained for this big moment in The Hamilton Spectator. 

 

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A post shared by Carson Mattern (@carson.mattern)


Margo Mountjoy 

Margo Mountjoy is returning to her role as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)  Games Group responsible for the planning and oversight of the medical program at the international event.   

The clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine began working with the IOC in 2005 and has attended numerous Olympic Games.  

Her role in Paris will include oversight and support for the Paris 2024 medical team, support of the International Federations, support for the anti-doping program, education and research. 

Learn more about Mountjoy’s work with the IOC and her return to the Olympics here.  

Margo Mountjoy posing for a photo with two red, plush Paris 2024 mascots


Lisa Thomaidis 

Lisa Thomaidis, who made her mark at McMaster as both a both a talented basketball player and passionate assistant coach, is marking her fourth visit to the Olympics.  

The McMaster Kinesiology graduate is the head coach of Germany’s women’s basketball team. 

Thomaidis was an assistant basketball coach for two years at McMaster before serving as head coach of Canada’s senior women’s basketball team, and head coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies varsity women’s basketball team. 

The award-winning athlete and coach was named to McMaster Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.  


Anne-Marie Thuss 

Anne-Marie Thuss, a former longtime McMaster women’s basketball coach, is serving as assistant coach for Germany’s women’s basketball team, coaching alongside Thomaidis. 

Thuss was assistant coach of McMaster women’s basketball team for 17 seasons and served as interim head coach for two.  


Lee Schofield 

Sport and exercise physician and McMaster Faculty of Science graduate Lee Schofield is in Paris as a staff member and team physician with the Canadian women’s soccer team.  

Schofield previously served as Canada team staff at a Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, a FIFA Women’s World Cup and at two FIFA youth tournaments. 

Learn more here.  

 

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