National Post (National Edition)
SHOWDOWN IN SPRINT? CANADA HAS ONE AGAIN
DE GRASSE, BROWN IN TOP FORM HEADING INTO NATIONALS
The blistering sprint battle between Aaron Brown and Andre De Grasse quickly conjures up a great memory for Glenroy Gilbert.
Two decades ago Gilbert was a teammate of both Bruny Surin and Donovan Bailey as they ate up the track with their world-class speed and pushed Canada to the top of the world sprint heap. Today, Gilbert is head coach of Athletics Canada and he’s thrilled at the prospect of some déjà vu.
“Andre is healthy now and Aaron is running really well. Both guys are in world-class shape,” Gilbert said. “I think the last time we’ve had two guys like this, at this kind of fitness, was probably Bruny and Donovan back 20 years ago or so. It really bodes well for excitement in the 100 and 200 metres.”
The two-event showdown between Brown, 27, and De Grasse, 24, will provide some fireworks at the Canadian Track and Field Championships this weekend in Montreal. Brown is the reigning national champ in both events, while De Grasse owned the 100-metre national title from 2015 through 2017, and added the 200 metres in 2017. Last year De Grasse was bothered
by a right hamstring injury, finishing third in the 100 metres, and didn’t run the 200-metre final.
He’s back in form this year, running 9.99 seconds in the 100 metres at the Diamond League meet in London on Saturday. Brown’s wind-legal season-best in the 100 metres is 10.07, set at a Diamond League event in Lausanne.
De Grasse has the edge in the 200 metres as well, with a season-best of 19.91 set in June. Brown ran 19.95 in Lausanne.
“I’m gonna try to get back the Canadian title,” De Grasse told CBC following the London race. “It’s going to be fun racing against (Brown). It’s definitely going to be a challenge and I look forward to it.”
De Grasse burst onto the senior international scene a handful of years ago, while Brown has emerged as a contender over the past two seasons. He’s the lesser-known quantity of the two, and understands why.
“It’s something I have been a part of ever since (De Grasse’s) ascent to the top. I know what comes with it; you get a lot bigger profile. Sometimes people don’t believe you can do something until you do it and show that you’ve done it,” said Brown.
“That doesn’t bother me. I know he’s a really big name, a premier person in the game. That comes with the territory. I just have to relish being in the position that I’m in, keep grinding and working in silence.”
The men’s sprints won’t be the only show worth watching in Montreal. Pole vaulter Alysha Newman keeps raising the bar on her own Canadian record, and has it at 4.77 metres. She’s a legit podium threat for the world championships this fall in Doha, Qatar and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
“When Alysha is on, she is definitely one of the best in the world,” said Gilbert. “When she hits it, she hits it. And she is a big Games competitor. She proved that at the Commonwealth Games last year. With a bad ankle she was still able to jump high enough to win. Very talented. I’m very excited about what she can do.”
Gilbert also likes the look of a deep field in the women’s 400 metres and sees Crystal Emmanuel as the clear favourite in both the women’s 100- and 200-metres.
“Crystal right now is head and shoulders above everyone in the 100 and 200. She has clearly proven this year that she’s gotten much better. She’s done well in some of the Diamond Leagues and world athletics challenges. From that standpoint, her focus has been on running a really complete 100 metres. She’s in good form.”
The same can certainly be said of distance runner Gabriela Debues-Stafford, who has set five Canadian records this season. She lowered the indoor mile and 5,000-metre marks, then broke the outdoor 5,000 metre, mile and most recently the 1,500-metre record.
Gilbert spoke to her in Monaco after she set a new mile mark.
“She said to me she didn’t think she’d get the Canadian record in the 1,500 this year because she has raced so much. But the very next week she breaks it in London. Her fitness has been exceptional in both the 1,500 and 5,000 metres. She is certainly the one to watch. She will come and put on a bit of a show for us.”
The only medal contender not in the field is high jumper Derek Drouin, who is recovering from a suspected Achilles injury.