Olympic hits and misses: How Canada's doing after Week 1 at the Rio Games

By Benjamin Blum, CBC Sports

It's the halfway point of the Rio Olympics. In case you missed the action, Canada's been doing well so far thanks to some incredible female athletes.

The Canadians have won 12 medals so far, including two golds, putting them on pace to surpass the country's total from the 2012 Games.

There's been some tough luck in several events, however, including an instance where one Canadian team eliminated another.

Here's a look at Canada's memorable (and not-so-memorable) moments so far.

Hits

1. Penny Oleksiak and those medalling kids

Half of Canada's medals so far came in swimming events, with Oleksiak rising to national attention in her Olympic debut.

The 16-year-old swimmer from Toronto was projected to make an impact at the next Games in 2020, but became an instant sensation by winning four medals, including gold in the 100-metre freestyle.

She's going to be the coolest kid in Grade 11 when she comes back from Brazil. If for some reason the medals don't impress her classmates, this Instagram shoutout from Drake will.

2. Rosie MacLennan's back-to-back golds

Canada's lone gold-medallist from 2012 Olympics persevered to the top of the podium in Rio for her second-consecutive trampoline title.

In addition to becoming the first trampolinist to defend her Olympic gold, the King City, Ont., native is the first Canadian Summer Olympian to win back-to-back gold in the same event.

Oh, she also led Canada into the opening ceremony with some flawless flag-bearing.

3. Pursuit cycling's podium streak

The team of Allison Beveridge, Kirsti Lay, Jasmin Glaesser, and Georgia Simmerling outpaced their opponents by nearly four seconds to capture bronze in the team pursuit event.

What's even more impressive is that Canada has not missed a pursuit cycling podium since the 2012 Games in London.

4. Rugby 7s' bronze-medal redemption

Canada's rugby sevens squad rebounded from a semifinal loss to eventual champions Australia to trounce Great Britain 33-10 to win bronze. The team regained its form, captivating a country and impressing the prime minister in the process.

Pretty empowering stuff from captain Jen Kish and company.

5. Soccer's newest star

Janine Beckie's breakout tournament has helped steer the Canadian soccer team to the semifinals and a chance to play for a medal.

They'll have to beat Germany for the second time this Olympics. Look for the team to rely on the goalkeeping of Stephanie Labbé​.

6. Benfeito and Filion's fab finish

The green water clearly didn't faze Canada's 10m synchro divers. The duo of Meaghan Benfeito and Roseline Filion landed on the synchro podium after a stellar final dive.

• WATCH: Benfeito and Filion clinch bronze

Honourable mentions

• Andre De Grasse qualified handily for the semifinals in the 100
• Lindsay Jennerich and Patricia Obee's silver in the women's lightweight double sculls

Misses

1. Men's rowing's poor showing

The decision to split up the men's eight and send two four-member boats has not worked out for Canada. Both crews failed to reach the podium by a long stretch.

Several members of the two boats were a part of the crew that won silver in the men's eight in London.

2. Abel and Ware miss the podium

While half of the Fab IV succeeded, Jennifer Abel and Pamela Ware came up short.

A costly mistake in the final meant that the duo finished fourth in the 3m synchro event.

However, Abel and Ware both advanced to the final of the individual springboard event.