Favorites Andre De Grasse and Audrey Leduc won the 100m at the Athletics Trials and officially earned their ticket to the Paris Olympic Games on Friday evening in a packed Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
At the end of the race where De Grasse found himself in second place on the scoreboard before his victory was confirmed a few minutes later, the six-time Olympic medalist said he had experienced a first since his junior years.
De Grasse clocked 10.20 seconds, followed by Eliezer Adjibi, who had been crowned Canadian champion at the start, 0.23 seconds later. Olympic medallist Aaron Brown completed the podium with a time of 10.25 seconds.
“There was confusion at the finish line,” said De Grasse, who had opened his arms to celebrate his victory. “I was convinced I had won, but I wondered if someone had beaten me on the outside when I saw the results on the board. This situation had happened once or twice several years ago.”
A runner from Benin causes a surprise
Absent from last year’s nationals due to injury, Adjibi caused quite a surprise by climbing onto the second step of the podium. “I have no idea what happened,” said the sprinter born in Benin who arrived in Canada in 2012. “We all crossed the line at almost the same time and I wasn’t sure I had won. There’s nothing we can do about it.”
His performance will open the doors to Paris where he should be in the 4x100m relay. “I have a very good chance of making the relay team,” he said, “but it’s not official yet and it’s not me who makes the decision.”
A first title for Leduc
Leduc’s victory with a time of 11.20 seconds earned her her first career Canadian senior title. “I’m relieved and it’s exceptional to experience this moment in Quebec,” summarized the Canadian record holder. “When I was introduced to the crowd before the race, I practically had chills. It was a beautiful moment and I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
Photo Sean Burges Mundo sports images
“In 2022 at the Canada Games, I was the favourite, there was pressure and this experience prepared me for today, to pursue the Gatineau sprinter. I have been working with my mental coach for two years. In 2019 in Montreal at my first senior nationals, there were also a lot of people and it was a practice.”
As was the case for the men, the women’s times in the final were slower than in the semi-final. “The sun had set, it was colder and there was a long wait before the starting gun because of the presentation of the girls,” she explained. I had no expectations. All I wanted was to win.”
Jacqueline Madogo and Marie-Éloïse Leclair completed the podium with respective times of 11.36 s and 11.44 s. The two sprinters were radiant after having taken a serious option on a place in the 4x100m relay in Paris.
“It was my first Trials and I was really nervous,” said the Ottawa runner who started athletics only three and a half years ago after playing soccer for around fifteen years. My goal was to qualify for the relay and I’m really happy.”
Unhappy with her performance in the preliminaries, Leclaire bounced back in the final. “There was pressure because I didn’t run to my liking and I bounced back well in the final. My goal was to finish in the top 3. I did well in the Bahamas during the world relay and I think my chances are good to be selected for the Games.”
Phenomenal progress
The fastest runner on the planet this year in the 400m with a time of 44.05 s, which represents a Canadian record, Christophe Morales-Williams is in Montreal with the aim of winning a second consecutive national title, but he is not aiming not breathtaking weather.
Morales-Williams is fresh off a busy NCAA season that included winning the national title for the Georgia Bulldogs and setting a world record in the indoor 400m.
“My biggest rivals in Paris have not had as busy a schedule as me and I have to manage my workload well between now and the Games,” he explained. The priority is not the Trials, even if I want to win, but the Olympic Games. I have to be smart.”
Four years ago, the then 15-year-old Ontarian was already dreaming of qualifying for the Paris Olympics, but did not think he would be among the favourites.
“My goal has always been to qualify for Paris,” he said. I remember in 2020 writing a note that I was going to qualify for 2024. That was my goal, but I didn’t think I would arrive at the Games with such a good ranking.
Coached by Caryl Smith Gilbert at Georgia, the same coach Andre De Grasse used during his NCAA years, Morales Williams broke the ice Friday at the Trials. He won his semifinal heat with a time of 45.77 seconds. More pressure now that he’s the fastest runner on the planet?
“Yes, there is pressure because I set the fastest time, but it’s not really different,” he said. There is always pressure, either to remain the fastest guy or to become one. I always want to win because I’m a competitor. I give the same importance to each race because everyone wants to win.”
Damian Warner in top form
In this semi-final wave won by Morales-Williams, we also found a certain Damian Warner, Olympic champion in Tokyo in the decathlon, who took 3rd place with a time of 45.77 s. In Montreal, he only participated in the 110 m hurdles and the long jump in addition to the 400 m.
“I wanted to stay away from Morales Williams,” Warner said with a smile, “and I stuck to my game plan. I’m in a big training period and I’m happy with my performance. It’s my best time this season.”
Warner is aiming for nothing less than a double in the City of Lights. “I believe I have everything I need to retain my title and that is my goal. I think the pressure is greater on my opponents who have never won an Olympic medal and who wonder if they will be able to do it before the end of their career.
Reigning world champion, Canadian Pierce Le Page is conspicuous by his absence at the Trials. He obtained a medical exemption which will allow him to be in Paris if he is healthy. His injury has not been revealed.
“I hope Pierce will be in Paris,” Warner said. He contributed to raising the international caliber which has never been stronger. We find 13 guys who have reached the plateau of 8600 points since the worlds, which is completely crazy.
