Prince George, BC – Not only did Canada clinch its first gold medal at the Olympics yesterday – a first place finish for Ontario’s Rosannagh MacLennan in trampoline, but three BC athletes raised the medal count to 10 as the 2012 London Olympics have reached the midway point.

Swimmer Ryan Cochrane, from Victoria, claimed the silver medal in dramatic fashion in yesterday’s 1500-metre freestyle.  Cochrane held off defending gold medallist, Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia, to win the endurance race by less than one second, with a time of 14-minutes 39.63.

The time was a personal best for Cochrane, and an Americas’ record for the men’s 1500.

Team Canada took bronze in the women’s cycling team pursuit yesterday, as well.  Victoria’s Gillian Carleton, Jasmin Glaesser of Coquitlam, and teammate, Tara Whitten of Edmonton, finished the event in three-minutes 17.915, while Great Britain took gold, and the US finished second.

In offering up congratulations on behalf of all British Columbians, BC’s Minister of Sport, Ida Chong, says, "The performances (Saturday) of these incredible competitors were nothing short of amazing, and their collective commitment to their sports is admirable."

To date, Canada has one gold, three silver, and six bronze medals.