Reached by Radio-Canada on Wednesday afternoon, the Quebec resident was preparing to take the road to Montreal where he is expected at the starting line at the Claude-Robillard sports center late Thursday evening.
I’m excited. At the start of the season, I wasn’t really stressed about the races, but the more realistic the Olympic dream becomes, the more stress comes with it.
admits the 25-year-old runner.
Thomas Fafard set a Quebec record in the half marathon in December, but it is in the 5000 meters that he could represent Canada in Paris. Photo: Facebook Come Run
His Olympic year – and probably his athletic career – changed at the end of May, during a 5000m in Brussels, when he managed to shave an incredible 17 seconds off his personal best.
I had known for several years that I was better than what I was doing in competition, but running 13:05 was above my expectations. And with a time like this comes even higher expectations.
Seven hundredths of the Olympic standard
Thirteen minutes and five seconds is the Olympic standard for the 5000 meters. In Brussels, however, Fafard stopped the clock at thirteen minutes, five seconds… and seven hundredths. Dust which means that he must still secure his place in Paris.
Ranked 41st in the world rankings for the 5000 meters this season, the ex-Rouge et Or is currently in a precarious position.
Thomas Fafard during the Canadian cross-country championships in 2021, while they wore the colors of Rouge et Or. Photo : Radio-Canada / Rouge et Or
If I don’t pass the standard, I have to be in the top-42. There are still national championships all over the world, so I can get overtaken in the rankings at any time. Tomorrow, I must have the best possible time and the best possible position to get points. It’s not in the pocket.
Deesgagnés and Philibert-Thiboutot are ready to help
Far from complaining, Thomas Fafard considers himself privileged to be so close to his Olympic dream. Especially since he should be able to count on the help of his long-time training partner, Jean-Simon Desgagnés, at Thursday’s Olympic trials.
The latter must first take the start of the 3000 m steeplechase, his favorite distance, earlier in the afternoon, but the game plan is that he will then come and lend a hand to his friend Fafard.
m and they are ready to do it. It will surely be Jean-Simon as his event is before mine and it is sure that it will make a big difference to have him with me as long as his legs hold up.”,”text”:”In time normal, we are not supposed to have a hare in a championship race, but Jean-Simon and Charles [Philibert-Thiboutot] both have the times to start the 5000m and they are ready to do it. It will surely be Jean-Simon as his event is before mine and it is sure that it will make a big difference to have him with me as long as his legs hold up.”}}”>Normally, you’re not supposed to have a hare in a championship race, but Jean-Simon and Charles [Philibert-Thiboutot] both have the times to start the 5000m and they are ready to do it. It will surely be Jean-Simon as his event is before mine and it is certain that it will make a big difference to have him with me as long as his legs hold up.
Thomas Fafard and his training partner, Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, in 2021. Photo: Facebook Come Run
If everything works as planned, Fafard will join Philibert-Thiboutot and Desgagnés on the Olympic team, already virtually assured of a place at the Olympics. We could even talk about a quartet of representatives from Quebec since their coach Félix-Antoine Lapointe will lead the Canadian middle distance team in Paris.
The guys were already talking about it when we were in training camp in Flagstaff, before I did my 1:05 p.m. in Brussels. I am very aware that nothing is decided yet, but it would be completely stupid to have our quartet in Paris this summer
concludes the native of Repentigny, who will surely have a large delegation of supporters at the Claude-Robillard sports complex.
