Andre De Grasse is once again enjoying the pleasure of being an Olympic gold medalist.
The 29-year-old Ontarian capped an adversity-filled Paris Games in August by leading the Canadian relay team to gold in the 4×100 metres, Canada’s first in the event since 1996.
De Grasse was in Toronto the past two weeks for the Toronto International Film Festival and several other engagements.
“I just feel love,” he said. “Enjoying the moment, enjoying the highs and just having fun at the same time. It’s a surreal moment.”
The relay gold medal was De Grasse’s seventh, tying him with swimmer Penny Oleksiak as Canada’s most decorated Olympic athlete.
His hometown of Markham will honour him and other Olympic and Paralympic athletes who call the city home with a parade on Sunday. Mayor Frank Scarpitti has also proclaimed Aug. 9 Andre De Grasse Day.
According to De Grasse, winning his seventh medal – a second gold at that – helped cement his legacy.
“A lot of people, when I came home, didn’t even talk [des moments d’adversité auxquels j’ai fait face]De Grasse said. They were just talking about how ‘we were watching you on TV, it was just unbelievable how you got that result for Canada.’ It made history.
“To get that welcome from people, the last thing on their minds and the fact that I’m now tied for the most decorated Canadian with my good friend Penny. It was just a surreal feeling.”
“Now the town where I grew up is having a parade. I’m looking forward to that reception. I hope I don’t get too emotional like last time.” [en 2016]. »
De Grasse missed an Olympic final for the first time in his career, failing to make it to the final in the 100m and 200m in Paris. After missing the 200m final, he revealed he had aggravated a hamstring injury he suffered a month before the Games.
The situation has raised some skepticism about De Grasse’s ability to continue. But he has said he is looking forward to competing at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
“As long as I have sponsors that support me and believe in me financially and that I’m able to continue, I’m going for it,” he said. “I had my best time this year in over three years and I still felt like I wasn’t 100 percent.”
“I know if I can get back to 100 percent and do everything right, I can still compete at a high level. One of the medalists (American Fred Kerley) in the 100, he’s my age, so it’s not like I’m old and can’t keep going. I feel like my body is still healthy, I just have to make sure I’m doing the right things to take care of it.”
