(Langley) For Andre De Grasse, the goal was simple: to forget what had happened earlier.
De Grasse won the men’s 200-metre final to close out the Canadian Track and Field Championships on Sunday at McLeod Stadium.
The reigning Olympic champion in the discipline crossed the finish line in a time of 20.01 seconds, just ahead of fellow Olympian and teammate Aaron Brown (20.10). Brendon Rodney (20.15) completed the podium.
De Grasse’s victory in the 200 meters came after he failed to qualify for the 100 meters final on Friday. He had placed ninth in a discipline that earned him two bronze medals at the Olympics.
“I just tried to come here with a positive attitude and have a short-term memory of what happened on Friday,” De Grasse said.
De Grasse, a six-time Olympic medalist, was the fastest in the preliminary round with a time of 20.31 seconds. He had moved ahead of Jerome Blake, Brown and Rodney in order.
For De Grasse, a 28-year-old Ontarian, Sunday’s 200-metre final represented his last opportunity to qualify for an individual event in preparation for the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, next month, following his failure in the 100 meters.
For Brown, who had won the 100 meters for the fifth time in a row, losing the 200 meters was surprising.
“I’m just a little surprised. It’s been a long time since I lost a Canadian Championship,” Brown noted.
“I’m happy for my teammates. A lot of people were tough on Andre, but he showed why he is an Olympic champion. »
On Saturday evening, De Grasse, Blake, Brown and Rodney had received their silver medals from the Tokyo Olympics. The Canadians had originally won bronze, but a disqualification of the British for doping changed the color.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night thinking about this moment and receiving this medal after two years,” De Grasse said.
“It was a great feeling to do the work with them. I wouldn’t want to do the work with others. It felt like a brotherhood. »
De Grasse had not competed at the National Championships in four years due to World Championship and Olympic Games commitments, as well as a bout of COVID-19 and a foot injury in 2022.
He and his relay teammates say they are turning their attention to the world championships Aug. 19-27.
“It’s in three weeks, so I have some time,” De Grasse said. “I take it one day at a time, one workout at a time. »
In Budapest, Brown expects to compete in the 100 meters and 200 meters, as well as the relay with the same teammates who won Olympic silver.
“I’m not quite ready yet,” Brown acknowledged. “I have a few weeks to clean up before the World Championships. »
Rodney of Toronto wanted more of himself in the 200-metre final.
“I’m a little upset, but I’m also happy at the same time,” he said. “The next step is the World Championships. »
Decathlete Pierce LePage won gold in the men’s long jump. It is his second medal at the national championships after the 27-year-old from Whitby, Ont., finished third in discus on Thursday.
Ontarian Nojah Parker won the men’s pole vault on Sunday with a height of 5.40 metres.
