At this time of last year, John Gay was chasing the Olympic 3,000-meter obstacle course standard in heavy rains in Montreal. There was no one to push him or any fans to support him.
In the most memorable race of the trial, he won the 200 meters and ticketed to Tokyo.
A 25-year-old woman from Kelowna, British Columbia, ran several companies this time around.
Read more: B.C. Sprinter should compete for gold medal at Canadian Championship
He is on the final lap At 8 minutes 20.77 seconds, fans cheered at Langley's McLeod Athletic Park, away from Ryan Smeeton. COVID-19 allowed fans to try nationwide for three years.
The story continues below the ad
Ottawa's Smeeton ran 8: 23.81 and finished second. Jean-Simon Desgagnes of Quebec City was third at 8: 26.01.
"It's different if someone is breathing in from the neck like that, but that's how the race should be," Gay said. "So thank you for some guys pushing me from behind."
Gay has his guts as he stays in Canada during a stopover in Montreal. I was on my way to Europe for the last shot at last year's Tokyo Olympic standards. There was no such drama this year.
"That was the exact opposite," he said. "Last month I slept in my bed (in Vancouver). I spent a day relaxing at home on my couch. In fact, a year after last year, this year everything came naturally. It's unrealistic.
"I certainly don't want to take it for granted, especially I know how tough and unforgiving this sport is," he added. .. "So you have to ride the waves when you catch it, and I think you've caught a good one now."
The Canadian Championships are the last chance for athletes to hit. Qualifying criteria for the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, July 15-24.
Trend Story
The story follows below the ad
Based on world rankings You can also select a player.
Gay and Smeton already meet global standards. Gay hopes Friday's tough race will end Desganjes, a medical student at Laval University, a spot for the team based on rankings.
Vancouver's Ceili McCabe won the women's 3,000-meter obstacle course at 9: 30.69, just below the world standard for 9:30 flats.
Regan Yee of South Hazelton, British Columbia won the silver medal (9: 31.77). Yi, who participated in the Tokyo Olympics, already had the Olympic standards.
Gay said he was bittersweet to compete with the public after Canada's longtime steeplechase Matt Hughes retired due to an injury.
"I There was a guy like Matt Hughes in my corner who was very lucky and everyone would say that Ryan and J.S. were a blessing to connect our career to his end. "
The story continues below the ad
"To be able to see how he did himself with such professionalism And it encourages you to meet such a guy, you train with him, go on a trip with him, and consistently play with the best of the best. You get a chance to see, and you say, "Yes, I can do that too.'
" It's a bit bittersweet to have another chance to play him in the national championship, but he Hope you've seen. If so, thank you very much for paving the mat. How. "
Charles Philiberti of Quebec City who participated in the 2016 Olympics The bot won the men's 5k at 13: 31.98.
'I knew he would take it': Andre De Grasse's proud mother looks back on winning the Olympic gold medal Calgary's Siena McDonald scored Heptathlon with 7 points 5,643. Kelowna's Rostam Turner won 6,418 to win the heptathlon.
The story continues below the ad
Victoria's Adam Keenan won the men's hammer throw with a 75.17 meter toss.
Montreal's Marguerite Lorenzo cleared 1.80 meters and defeated Barbara Bichoca in the jump-off to win the women's high jump.
© 2022 TheCanadian Press
