Add Andre De Grasse to the list of Audrey Leduc admirers. The Olympic 200-meter gold medalist is impressed by the dazzling progress of the new Canadian record holder in the 100 and 200 m.
Posted at 6:17 p.m.
“I only met her this year,” De Grasse said after indulging in an autograph signing session with the local star Wednesday lunchtime, a few hours before the opening of the Olympic and Paralympic Athletics Trials. at the Claude-Robillard sports complex in Montreal.
“I saw that she had an incredible time at LSU [en Louisiane] in April. She is progressing very well. I’m happy for her. »
The six-time Olympic medalist was able to rub shoulders with Leduc more closely during the World Relays last month in the Bahamas, where the two sprinters led their countries to qualify for the 4 x 100m relay for Paris.
“We haven’t achieved this since 2016 on the women’s side, so it’s incredible to see her progress and what she’s accomplished,” recalled De Grasse. She is from Montreal, she has the support of the public. I can’t wait to see her make something special on Friday! »
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, THE PRESS
Andre De Grasse signs autographs before the opening of the Olympic and Paralympic Athletics Trials at the Claude-Robillard sports complex in Montreal.
De Grasse himself has a fairly clear idea of what he wants to achieve on Claude-Robillard’s patched straight, after last week’s disaster which forced the relocation of the Classic from Montreal to Saint-Laurent, in 24 hours notice.
The 29-year-old Ontarian obviously wants to win and go back under 10 seconds, as he did on his last visit to Montreal in 2019, when he stopped the clock at 9.98 sec in the half. -final. However, he was beaten by Aaron Brown at the photo finish in the final.
I really want to run well here. I don’t often have the opportunity to compete on my home turf in front of my audience. [.. ] It always motivates me to come back and see the crowd and put in a good performance for them. So I want to give the best of myself.
Andre De Grasse
Setting the Olympic standard of 10.00 last week in Finland, De Grasse agrees that the depth of the 100m in Canada is unmatched since its emergence in 2015. Seven sprinters are entered in 10.10 or lower.
“Everyone is running very fast. We have a lot of 10.0 guys who want a spot on the team and also want to compete for a medal in the relay. There are six or seven this year. In the past, it was just three guys who ran really well. Everyone is progressing, developing their talent well, especially by finding coaches they want to work with. »
De Grasse, for his part, found Rana Reider in Jacksonville, Florida, after a season under the guidance of Irishman John Coghlan, with whom he took time before finding his feet last year. The Canadian sprinter left Reider after the launch of a sexual misconduct investigation that earned the American coach a year of probation.
Still looking for a first time under 10 seconds since September 2021, in the wake of the Tokyo Olympics, De Grasse is currently focusing on pure speed. In Montreal, he will only compete in the 100m on Saturday, preferring to take his turn in the 200m on Sunday. He will return to the event in international competition before the Olympics.
“I want to concentrate on the 100 meter work and my start. This is our goal, my coach and I. If I get my speed back, the 200 meters will become much easier. I know I have the stamina, but now I really need to improve this start. A lot of guys here are off to a great start, including the torchbearers and a few other guys. So I can test myself Friday evening and see where I am. »
PHOTO RADOVAN STOKLAS, ARCHIVES REUTERS
Andre De Grasse
Finally healthy after being slowed by COVID-19 and a toe injury in 2022, De Grasse feels “ [lui]-even again.”
“Statistically speaking, looking at my times in training and being healthy, I think that was the main thing. The last few years I had to deal with a few injuries, but this year I was able to start with a solid foundation and workouts. My physical fitness is returning to what I hoped for. I can’t wait to get through the rounds and get ready to do the double again [à Paris]. »
Another record for Leduc?
For her part, Leduc will aim for the 100-200 double on the oval on which she races almost daily. Having set her second best time ever last week in Saint-Laurent (11.00), she had withdrawn from the final as a precautionary measure. She had felt discomfort in training two days earlier, a physical problem that she assures she has put behind her.
The Gatineau sprinter therefore expects to run faster on Friday — and ideally to improve her national mark of 10.96 set in Louisiana on April 20.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Audrey Leduc
I’m really looking forward to being able to compete in front of my family and friends, and to be able to show sprinting to Quebecers. We are also capable [d’être rapides] in Quebec, Canada. Just to be able to give this experience to everyone. I want to surpass myself on this track.
Audrey Leduc
A little intimidated before her first press scrum in her life, Leduc carried out her signing session alongside De Grasse as if nothing had happened.
Does she feel pressure as double favorite? She shrugs. In her first participation among the seniors in 2019, she reached the final at the same place.
“It’s even more special to be the favorite in front of my family,” she admitted before specifying: “The pressure, I put it on myself. I don’t focus on what people might put on me. When I get on the track, my goal is to go execute, run as fast as possible and finish first. That has always been the goal of a competition; it will be again at the end of the week. »
Andre De Grasse couldn’t have said it better.
The rebirth of Philibert-Thiboutot
Left behind financially by Athletics Canada after narrowly missing out on the Tokyo Olympics, Charles Philibert-Thiboutot is making a grand return for these Olympic Trials.
The runner from Quebec was among the guests of honor at the opening press conference, alongside De Grasse, Leduc, Paralympic hopeful Bianca Borgella, Paralympic weight medalist Greg Stewart and young sensation Christopher Morales Williams, NCAA champion at just 19 years old and world leader in the 400m.
“It was probably one of the hardest times of my life not qualifying for Tokyo,” recalled the 1500m specialist, who battled 70km/h gusts in a vain attempt to achieve the Olympic minimum during the 2021 Trials held behind closed doors at Claude-Robillard.
“We come back here three years later and I feel like I have a completely different life. I have the standard in my pocket, I feel really fit and I have been very lucky with uninterrupted training over the last few months. I have a lot of support from the people here who will come to enjoy the championships this weekend. All in all, it couldn’t be more different than what I experienced in 2021. On a psychological level, it’s very pleasant to be in this situation. »
“Ready for all eventualities”, Philibert-Thiboutot is only waiting to regain a national title which had eluded him last year.
