TORONTO — The Olympic have yet to begin but the OMG moments are already happening for Canadian rugby sevens star Ghislaine Landry.

The 28-year-old speedster from Toronto was in demand Tuesday at a City hall send-off for the rugby sevens women's team. In between hugs and photos with family and friends, Landry posed for selfies and signed flags and other mementoes from a steady line of wide-eyed youngsters.

Then, as she prepared to speak to a reporter, someone else caught her eye.

"Oh my God," she said.

It was her elementary school gym teacher and all-round coach.

"I haven't seen him since I left elementary school ... He looked almost identical," Landry explained later.

"That's the kind of connection that we're starting to make. To have him here, that was so cool," she added.

Canadian chef de mission Curt Harnett and Mayor John Tory were among the dignitaries in attendance, along with an enthusiastic flag-waving crowd that braved torrid heat to show their appreciation for the Canadian women.

"It's amazing," said captain Jen Kish. "It's nice to see all these people out here because you know Canada cares about what we're doing. You want as much support as possible going into the Games because that also gives you confidence behind your play and what you're about to do.

The Canadians are legitimate medal contenders, having finished third and second overall on the world circuit the last two seasons. Canada upset top-ranked Australia to win the final event of the 2015-2016 campaign and earned gold at last summer's Pan American Games

Rio marks the debut of rugby sevens in the Olympics and Kish, whose rugby resume is extensive, is savouring the moment.

"The other day in the airport, the guy says 'Who are you guys?' Someone goes 'We're the rugby Canada sevens team.' And I said 'No, we're the Rugby Canada sevens Olympic team.'

"And he's like 'Oh man, let's get a photo.' And now we get to say that. It's amazing and it's really exciting. And I can't wait to feel what's it's actually going to feel like when we're in Brazil, around other Olympians in that atmosphere. And then running out on the field and then actually living your dream.

"Not a lot of people live their dream and we actually are one of few that get to do that."

Olympian, said Harnett, is a title they can never take away from you.

"You're always going to be an Olympian," said the former track cyclist, who won three medals in four trips to the Olympics.

The women's rugby sevens schedule runs Aug. 6-8 in Rio.

"We're going to bring the heat," said Kish, a 28-year-old from Edmonton. "And I don't think people are ready for it."

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