Winner of six medals at the Olympic Games, sprinter Andre De Grasse wants to open the machine and put on a good show during the Olympic Athletics Trials which begin Thursday at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
Four weeks before the Paris Olympic Games, De Grasse seems to be gradually regaining his good form. On June 18 in Finland, he achieved his best performance since the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 by posting a time of 10.00 to take 3rd place. Both the men’s and women’s 100m will be on display on Friday evening.
“It’s my fastest time in three years and it’s very good for my confidence,” he said during a press scrum. My speed is back and I am healthy. Over the last few years I have been bothered by a few injuries. The most important thing is that I stay healthy.”
De Grasse will be in action in Montreal for the first time in five years. “I’m aiming for a sub-10s time and another national title,” he said. I’m very excited and motivated to race on Canadian soil, which I don’t have the chance to do often. My last race in Canada was last year in Vancouver.”
“Yes the Games are in four weeks, but I want to send a good message by offering a solid performance,” continued De Grasse. I want to put on a good show for the fans present.”
Deadlock in the 200m
If he wants to give everything in the 100m, the 29-year-old sprinter has decided to skip the 200m at the Trials. “We agreed with my coach to concentrate on the 100m in order to improve my starts,” he explained. The goal is to get my speed back and we have worked a lot on the 100m this year. If I have a very good start, it becomes easier in the 200m and I know that I can compete with the best because the health and endurance are there.
De Grasse anticipates good opposition from the Canadians present. “This is the year where there is the most depth in the 100m in Canada,” he said. In the past, there were only three guys who ran really fast. This year, there are six or seven guys who can achieve a 10.0 and who have good starts. “I’m going to be tested and I’m going to know where I stand as the Games approach.”
Cautionary measure
New Canadian record holder in the 100m and 200m, Audrey Leduc will be in action in both events. For her favorite 100m event, she is aiming for a personal best and a victory.
“I want to achieve a personal best if I get the chance and I’m aiming for gold,” she said. This will be my third race in a row and I expect to run fast.”
With a personal best of 10.96 seconds, Leduc achieved the second best performance of her career last Friday at the Montreal Athletics Classic. She posted a time of 11.00 during the preliminaries, but she felt a little pain in her hip and played it safe by withdrawing from the competition.
“I have no worries,” she assured. It was prevention to withdraw. I’m really looking forward to racing in front of my family and friends and showing that we can sprint in Canada. It’s even more special to race at home this year than in 2019 at my first senior national because I find myself among the favorites.”
De Grasse impressed
De Grasse discovered Leduc this year. “I met Audrey this year for the first time and it’s amazing to see her progress. She clocked an incredible time in Louisiana and helped Canada qualify in the 4X100m relay for the first time since 2016. I’m expecting an even more special performance in front of her crowd.”
Furthermore, the organizers ensure that the track is in good condition. Last Friday, the events were transferred to the Ben Leduc track in Saint-Laurent. Repairs made earlier in the week had suffered from heat and humidity and the track was sticky in places due to pollen.
