Catharine Pendrel

Sport: Cycling

Nation: Canada

DOB: September 30, 1980

Hometown: Fredericton, NB

Career Highlights: A member of the Canadian national team since 2003, Pendrel fell just short of a podium spot when she finished fourth at the Beijing Games in the cross-country mountain bike race. The gold medalist at the 2011 world championships and the 2007 Pan-American Games, Pendrel is likely Canada’s best bet for a women’s mountain bike medal in London this summer. She posted three World Cup victories in 2011 and also won the test event on the same course that will be used at the Olympics. Pendrel topped the field of 46 at that event in a time of 1:32.04. A three-time Canadian national champion, Pendrel started racing at age 16 when she ended her career as a competitive horseback rider and traded riding horses for bikes. She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology.

Olympic History: 2008