THIS TIME AROUND, MACROZONARIS PROMISES HE IS RUNNING FOR YOU
Former national sprint champion runs for political office in hometown of Laval
EDMONTON Nicolas Macrozonaris did few things quietly, but it appeared retirement would be one of them.
He slipped out of the national consciousness in 2010, already half a dozen years removed from the 100-metre force he had been at the peak of his athletics career. He was home in Laval, Que., but adrift.
“After retirement, every athlete goes through this phase where they don’t know what to do, you know,” the now-37-year-old said last week.
Fortunately, he listened when a friend told him to seek out people who could help integrate him into local society.
In 2011, Macrozonaris reached out to a community centre. After volunteering for six months, he was offered a seat on the board of directors, which he still occupies.
“I can tell you, it was like university for me. I was learning so many cool things that as an athlete you’d never pay attention to.”
He went all in and by 2013, the city recognized his contributions with a volunteer-of-the-year award. A year later, he launched a track club, Final Push, to give local kids an outlet. Nobody wanted to join at first, but it’s flourishing now. So, too, is Macrozonaris, whose life appears fuller than ever.
“The Nic you knew 10 years ago has changed. I was a little bit unrefined.”
The Macrozonaris Canada knew 10 years ago could take the necessary self-centred mindset of a sprinter to an irritating level. He was consistently good on the straightaway, but those occasional prima donna turns reflected a larger opinion of his ability than his results could substantiate.
And yet, he always had redeeming curb appeal, and he’s prepared to trade on that charm once again as he enters the political arena.
“I’m running this time for you,” he says and the smile is almost audible.
Not long ago, Macrozonaris approached executives of Action Laval, the city’s opposition party, offering himself as a candidate for the Nov. 5 municipal election. They were receptive and suggested he run in the SainteDorothée district, where he went to elementary school.
He’s at home there and comfortable discussing local issues. He also makes it clear he has no loftier ambitions than city council.
“I think at this low level of politics I could do a good job. I think I can bring something of value.”
He’s critical of the government for its waste, a lack of sports infrastructure and burgeoning tax bills for seniors like his mom. Should he win a seat, he’ll be the Action Laval member responsible for promoting sports and physical fitness.
It’s obviously a comfort zone. At age 19, he burst onto the 100-metre scene with a time of 10.19 seconds at the 2000 Canadian championships, which was also the qualifier for the Sydney Olympics. He would go on to win the national 100-metre title four times, and doubled up in 2003, adding the 200-metre crown. He was then one of just six Canadians to turn the trick.
He was an Olympian in Sydney and Athens. In 2003, he beat then-world record holder Tim Montgomery of the U.S. at a Grand Prix meet in Mexico City, crossing the line in 10.03 seconds to the American’s 10.04. Only four Canadian men have ever run faster legal times: Donovan Bailey, Bruny Surin, Andre De Grasse and Aaron Brown.
Unfortunately, it was Macrozonaris’s career-best time, even though his career had another seven years to run. Frustrated by declining results, he moved training bases to Florida, Ottawa and Edmonton, but never found another gear.
Coaching has offered him perspective and a chance to have a continuing impact on the sport. No matter the election result, he will remain head coach of Final Push, which he launched to zero acclaim.
“Believe it or not, I had no athletes three years ago. Zero athletes.”
To attract some, he climbed light poles at major intersections under cover of darkness to put up signs advertising the new club.
“I did it in the middle of the night because if I did it during the day and got caught, I might get fined.”
The parents of Praise Omogbai apparently read one of the handbills. The 14-year-old was the club’s first athlete, and this year became a national champ at 100 metres. The club has a growing stable and Macrozonaris is determined to show them a better way forward.
“I have regrets. I’ve done a lot of mistakes and these kids don’t have to do the same mistakes.”
Emotion and immaturity got the better of him. He raised futile arguments against performance standards; feuded with Athletics Canada over funding; and fought publicly with Glenroy Gilbert, Canada’s head coach at the 2003 world championships, over relay position.
He’s still a passionate guy, but now he’s railing against undue taxation and government waste; determined as always to continue making noise.