Canada’s Andre De Grasse feels rejuvenated after meeting the Olympic 100m standard

MONTREAL — Rejuvenated by a recent performance, Andre De Grasse is confident he can outdo the world’s best at the Paris Olympics this summer.

“I feel like my old self again,” the decorated Canadian sprinter said Wednesday at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. “I’m starting to get my speed back.”

De Grasse enters the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic track and field trials after running a season’s best of 10.00 seconds at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland last week to meet the 100m entry standard for the Paris Games .

It was De Grasse’s fastest time since September 2021, when he ran the 100 in 9.89 seconds at the Diamond League finals.

The six-time Olympic medalist hasn’t posted a time under 10 seconds since then, but hopes to change that at the trials, which run from Wednesday to Sunday.

“It’s my fastest time in three years, since 2021, so it’s always a good confidence booster to say, ‘OK, now I’m starting to find my speed back,'” De Grasse said of his performance in Finland . “I know if I get a great start, my top speed is there and I can definitely compete with everyone.

“Finland last week kind of proved to me that I’m coming back, I’m finding my form. Friday night, I’m looking forward to trying to improve.”

De Grasse, who won gold in the 200 and bronze in the 100 at the 2021 Tokyo Games, will try to win the men’s 100 final on Friday.

The 29-year-old from Markham, Ont., is focusing his energy on the 100 and will not compete in the 200 this week, but plans to defend his Olympic title in Paris.

“My coach and I were like, let’s try to focus on getting the speed back,” he said. “If I get my speed back, the 200 becomes a lot easier for me.”

A strong Canadian team of world and Olympic champions competes this week.

World hammer throw champions Camryn Rogers and Ethan Katzberg kicked off the trials on Wednesday. World champion decathlete Pierce LePage is out on medical leave, but Olympic champion Damian Warner is competing in three events. World 800 champion Marco Arop is also an athlete to watch this week.

But De Grasse could still steal the limelight. He is Canada’s most decorated athlete at the Summer Games with six career Olympic medals (one gold, two silver, three bronze) — and hopes to add to that tally this summer.

“I’m just relying on my experience. It’s good to have two Olympics under my belt,” said De Grasse, who has a history of peaking at major events. they’re going to be shiny and I love that.”

Rising star Audrey Leduc signed autographs next to De Grasse on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old from Gatineau, Que., set Canadian records in the women’s 100 and 200 meters this year. Despite reaching Olympic qualifying standards, she has no plans to give up on friends and family coming to watch her race this week.

“I don’t think you can push too hard on a track,” she said. “The faster you run on a track, the faster the next race will be in my opinion.”

Leduc also helped Canada qualify in the women’s 4×100 relay last month, posting a 10.18 in the third leg at the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas.

“I’m excited for her,” De Grasse said. “I saw her in the Bahamas, she helped them qualify in the 4x100m relay, we haven’t done that since 2016 on the women’s side.

“It’s just incredible to see his progress and what he’s been able to achieve.”

Athletics Canada will announce the Canadian team on July 2. The Paris Games begin on July 26.

THE STICKY TRACK

Leduc ran the 100 in 11.00 seconds last week at La Classique d’athlétisme in Montreal. The meet was held at the Ben Leduc track after the extreme heat in Montreal damaged recent track repairs at Claude-Robillard.

After more repairs, Athletics Canada said testing will continue as planned at Claude-Robillard this week.

“Last week the pollen stuck to the runway, so it was white instead of red,” Leduc said. “It looks better now.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 26, 2024.

Daniel Rainbird, Canadian Press