'This bronze medal feels like a gold in my hands': B.C.'s Kayla Moleschi on rugby win
Moleschi is the only B.C.- born and raised player on the medal-winning team.
British Columbia has its first medallist at the Rio Games.
Williams Lake native Kayla Moleschi helped the Canadian women's rugby sevensĀ team win bronze Monday at the Rio Olympics.
"I'm overwhelmed with emotion, and just insanelyĀ proud of this team and what we accomplished," said a jubilant Moleschi from Rio. "When the final whistle blew I literally jumped for joy. This bronze medalĀ feels like a gold medal in my hands."
The Canadian team clinched the medal after a 33-10 win over Britain. Australia took gold and the silver went to New Zealand.
MoleschiĀ and her teammates are staying at the games until the end of next week and will parade into the closing ceremonies with the Canadian delegation. Then the plan is to come back to Victoria, where she trains full time, and will drive back to her home town of Williams Lake around August 25.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Olympics?src=hash">#Olympics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bronze?src=hash">#bronze</a> tastes so good! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAN?src=hash">#CAN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIO2016?src=hash">#RIO2016</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rugby7s?src=hash">#Rugby7s</a> šØš¦šš
<a href="https://t.co/yrjOy3mMcC">pic.twitter.com/yrjOy3mMcC</a>
—@RugbyCanada"It will be a nice long drive through the canyons, I always love that drive," added Moleschi. "It will be a lot of fun being homeĀ ā camping, relaxing,Ā recharging the batteries and enjoying what we have accomplished over the last five years."Ā
MoleschiĀ is the only B.C.-Ā born and raised player on theĀ medal-winningĀ team. The rest of team lives and trains full time in theĀ Victoria area, with the team's home stadium inĀ Langford.
Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb said the win marks "a great day" and the town is getting ready to celebrate.
Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/RugbyCanada">@RugbyCanada</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BC?src=hash">#BC</a> native <a href="https://twitter.com/KaylaMoleschi">@KaylaMoleschi</a> on your win. Great game, we're all very proud. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rio2016?src=hash">#Rio2016</a><br> <a href="https://t.co/8SzPj3BDNB">https://t.co/8SzPj3BDNB</a>
—@christyclarkbcCobb, whose son served as one of Moleschi's coaches, said the athlete sets a great example for girls and women.
"I think it shows everybody no matter the size of your town, if you have got the will and the wish, you can do what you like," Cobb said.
Williams Lake is still working on the details of a celebration for Moleschi's return.
With files from Jane Armstrong