When the upcoming World Athletics Championships kick off, a record number of Canadians are poised to defend their titles. Among these athletes are hammer throwers Camryn Rogers and Ethan Katzberg, decathlete Pierce LePage, and 800-meter runner Marco Arop. However, Canada is not solely relying on them for gold in Tokyo. The Canadian contingent, consisting of 59 athletes (30 men and 29 women), is the largest ever to compete at the championships. Glenroy Gilbert, the head coach of Athletics Canada, emphasizes the team’s strength in its diversity across various disciplines.
Gilbert, speaking from the Canadian team’s training camp in Gifu, Japan, highlighted the balanced mix of veteran and young athletes. He stressed the importance of every team member delivering top performances in Tokyo as they aim for success leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The coach expects both seasoned athletes and newcomers to achieve personal bests, progress to semifinals and finals, and contribute to Canada’s medal prospects.
The surge of talent in field events, particularly in throwing sports, has caught Gilbert’s attention. He attributes this rise to the athletes’ dedication and the quality coaching they receive. Notably, Sarah Mitton, a world champion-caliber shot putter, has been training rigorously under coach Richard Parkinson. Gilbert acknowledges the essential role of training environments and coaching programs in fostering high-performance results among athletes.
Despite facing setbacks, such as Mitton losing her Diamond League Final title due to a protest, Gilbert remains optimistic about her chances at the world championships. Mitton, displaying resilience, won a warm-up event in Beijing, setting the stage for a strong performance in Tokyo. The coach is confident in the men’s 4x100m relay team’s potential to secure another world title, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and focus on race day.
As the championships unfold, Gilbert looks forward to identifying the next wave of Canadian track stars, such as Christopher Morales Williams and Savannah Sutherland. These young athletes represent a promising future for Canadian track and field, with their potential to shine on the global stage. The world championships serve as a platform for them to showcase their talent and compete for top honors, embodying the spirit of progress and excellence in Canadian athletics.