TRACK VETERAN IN ATTACK MODE AT TOKYO GAMES
Montcalm worked hard for second chance at Olympics and vows to make the most of it
It's a rare feat for an athlete to be called a two-time Olympian.
The term brings a smile to the face of Noelle Montcalm, the St. Joseph high school product and former University of Windsor Lancers standout who worked tirelessly to make it happen.
“To say I'm a two-time Olympian is crazy to come out of my mouth,” the 33-year-old Montcalm said.
A five-time national champion in the women's 400-metre hurdles, Montcalm didn't qualify for the 2016 Canadian team until the national Olympic Trials, when she was able to meet the required time standard while also winning the race to meet the second criteria of a top-two finish.
Earning a spot on the 2020 team was even more complicated. Montcalm was unable to attain an even tougher qualifying standard this year, but earned enough points from meet competitions to secure a spot as one of the 40 fastest competitors in the world in the event.
“It takes a lot more for me to achieve the goal of making the team than Brandon (Mcbride, the Canadian men's 800-metre record holder), who hits standard, or Melissa (Bishop-nriagu, the Canadian women's 800-metre record holder), who always hit it,” Montcalm said.
“It takes more effort every time to get the points, but I accomplished it nonetheless.”
Along with the hurdles, Montcalm has been selected by Athletics Canada as a potential member of the women's 4x400 relay team.
“To be in the pool is super exiting,” said Montcalm, who was part of Canada's 4x400 relay team in 2016 that placed fourth and missed a medal by half a second. “Whatever four girls are put in will be up to the task.”
Montcalm reached the hurdles semifinals at the 2016 Olympic Games, and even though she made this year's squad, her goal is still to meet the standard of 55.40 that she's been chasing all season.
“In my mind, I haven't achieved the Olympic standard,” Montcalm said. “It's a different standard (from 2016). I want to run my best and run my personal best, which I haven't done in a couple years.”
A nurse when she's not clearing hurdles on the track. Montcalm knows this experience will be much different from 2016 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think it's going to be different for all of us, with the climate we're dealing with,” Montcalm said. “I'm fully vaccinated and there are precautions in place and I can just trust in that.
“I want to go in and enjoy every process. I really just want to try to experience it and have fun, rather than get worked up and add extra pressure.”
After graduating from the University of Windsor in 2011, Montcalm and coach Don Garrod made the decision to switch from sprint to distance hurdles.
“The training aspects are a lot more intense, but I'm not looking back on that decision,” Montcalm said.
However, unlike 2016, Garrod and members of Montcalm's family will be unable to attend the event.
“No coach Donny or family, that will be tough for me and tough for them,” Montcalm said. “Five years later, I know they're behind me and supporting me.”
But Montcalm, who also represented Canada at two world championship meets, believes she has grown from her first Olympic experience and is ready to attack a second chance.
She'll compete in the heats starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday in Tokyo, which is 8 p.m. Friday locally, looking for a spot in Monday's semifinals. The women's 4x400 relay heats are set for Thursday, with the final unfolding two days later.
“I've learned a lot in the last five years,” Montcalm said. “A lot has happened in between and
I've learned a lot in the event.
“It's the track development, the sharpness, and just being technically sound and able to navigate 10 barriers. I can feel fast any given day, but it's getting over with my hips (being) sound and the technical stuff.”