Fifty-nine Canadian track and field athletes, the largest contingent ever sent by Canada to a World Athletics Championships, spent the past week aiming to surpass the six medals won by the 2023 team in Budapest, Hungary. The competition in Tokyo will continue through Sunday, with live coverage available on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.
Canada made history by sending four defending champions to the world championships for the first time. The defending champions included Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers in the hammer throw, Marco Arop in the 800 meters, and Pierce LePage in the decathlon. Rogers successfully defended her title earlier in the week, followed by Katzberg. Arop secured a bronze medal, while LePage had to withdraw from the decathlon due to back soreness after four events.
The Canadian women’s 4×100-meter relay team, consisting of Sade McCreath, Jacqueline Madogo, Marie-Éloise Leclair, and Audrey Leduc, broke their own record with a time of 42.38 seconds in the heats, securing a spot in the final. In the men’s 4×100 final, the Canadian team, including Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney, and Andre De Grasse, qualified for the final after winning their heat. Jamaica, South Africa, Great Britain, and Italy faced challenges due to botched baton exchanges.
The Canadian teams are looking to reclaim their world titles after previous successes, with high hopes for success in the upcoming events. Stay tuned for more details on the Canadian athletes’ performances and schedules at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.