Kicking off the Olympics

Watch as Tuesday featured the biggest influx yet of Canadian athletes into London.

Our Scott Russell was on hand to greet a number of Canadians (gallery above), and also took time to blog about some of the historic sports sites around the city, as well as expecations for the Canadian swim team.

Julia Wilkinson of Stratford, Ont., one of the arrivals, says Canada's swimmers are no longer "glad to be here."

One of Canada's biggest medal contenders — figuratively and literally — is Dylan Armstrong of Kamloops, B.C. Watch as Armstrong talks about his unique relationship with his coach, and how missing an Olympic medal in Beijing by the narrowest of margins has served as motivation.

The Opening Ceremony is a few days away, but the results count on Wednesday as the Olympic women's soccer tournament gets underway.

Canada is in a formidable group, opening against Japan, the world champions from last summer. 

JOIN OUR ONLINE CHAT for the match beginning at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

The women's team has suffered through some disappointing tournament results in recent years, but believe their chemistry is stronger than ever. Coach John Herdman has tried to instill a new mental attitude since those setbacks, and wants the team to play aggressively.

The American girls are considered the tournament favourites, and they open against a Top 10 squad, France.

The U.S. men's basketball team, meanwhile, thumped medal contender Spain in a final exhibition before the Games Tuesday night in Barcelona. Despite the potent lineup, however, the Americans aren't without vulnerabalities.

Follow @cbcsports for the latest Olympic news, as well as features and video.