Cameron Smedley, Canadian paddler, earns bronze at Rio Olympics test event

Canada's Cameron Smedley proved that he is already in Olympic form after capturing a bronze medal in a canoe slalom Rio test event Sunday.

"Today was a big eye opener for what's possible," Smedley said. "Being here training and competing on the Olympic course has really got me excited for next year."

The 25-year-old Dunrobin, Ont. native is one of Canada's top performers in the Men's C1. Smedley claimed bronze in the event at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto. 

With an 11th-place finish, Edmonton's Ben Hayward finished one spot away from advancing to the top-10 final in the Men's K1 test event. 

Canada has qualified quota spots in Men's C1 and Men's K1 for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, but athletes will be selected for the team next year.

The athletes attended the event to get familiar with the course and local environment in preparation for next year.

The canoe slalom events will take place at Whitewater Stadium in Deodoro Olympic Park next August 7 to 11.