It’s amazing what one Olympics can do.

The Canadian women’s soccer team has gone from relative obscurity to near rock-star status since their inspirational bronze-medal performance in London, two years ago.

In Winnipeg for a mini-training camp before Thursday’s game against the rival USA, the team and its marquee player are embracing the transformation.

“It’s a huge honour,” Christine Sinclair said after a chilly practice session at the Waverley soccer complex, today. “Heading into the Olympics, obviously we wanted to bring home a medal. But more importantly we wanted to change women’s soccer in this country. I don’t think any of us imagined what has happened since the Olympics. It’s incredible. It’s a big responsibility, but we’re embracing it.”

Suddenly, the national team draws thousands of fans for games — more than 25,000 are expected, Thursday.

Sinclair didn’t have a female soccer role model, growing up. But she doesn’t have to look far to see what influence she’s had.

Her teammate, Winnipeg’s Desiree Scott, used to look up to the Burnaby, B.C., native.

“She was the one lone name I knew, coming up,” Scott said. “Everyone knows who Christine Sinclair is, and now we get to train with her. I’ve been playing with her the last couple of years and it’s still like I’m in awe, and I’m her teammate. So I can imagine what little girls are looking up to her for.”