Pauline Olynik

Pauline Olynik is a competitor for the Manitoba Fearless of the Western Womens Canadian Football League. Widely considered as one of the best female defensive backs in Canada, she would compete with Team Canada and win a silver medal at the 2013 IFAF Women’s Worlds in Vantaa, Finland.

Early life
Hailing from the francophone community of St. Claude, Pauline Olynik was a 34 year-old rookie with the Fearless who had recently switched careers. Of note, football was one of many sports she had tried after relocating to Winnipeg, which included speed skating, rowing and boxing. Having grown up with four older brothers, her love of sport was cultivated at a young age. Of note, she was a high school star in volleyball, it was only a question of time before her athletic skills would take her to a larger stage.

Team Canada
Against a Spanish team making their IFAF debut, she would log 2.5 tackles in a 50-0 whitewash, while three tackles were accumulated in a come from behind win against host country Finland. Besides her great contributions on the field, Olynik even managed to provide a warm-hearted rendition of the Canadian national anthem prior to one of Canada’s contests.