Canadian sprinters secure 3 Olympic relay spots on memorable Saturday night in Nassau
Women's and men's 4x100m relay teams, women's 4x400m relay squad all qualify
Saturday night in Nassau, Bahamas, at the World Athletics Relays turned out to be a memorable night under the bright lights of Thomas A. Robinson Stadium for Canadian sprinters.
With everything to run for — Olympic berths on the line — Canadian track stars met the moment, qualifying three different teams for Paris 2024.
The first breakthrough moment of the night was delivered by the Canadian women's 4x100m relay team.
Not since the 2016 Games had Canada qualified a team in this event, but that all changed on Saturday night.
Sade McCreath, Marie-Éloïse Leclair, Audrey Leduc and Crystal Emmanuel delivered a brilliant race, edging out China for second place and locking up an Olympic spot in a time of 42.98 — the top-two teams in each heat on Saturday night earned direct tickets to Paris.
Placing in the top-two also advanced teams into Sunday night's finals to compete for prize money and medals.
"I think my heart stopped for a minute and then I just realized, oh my God, we did it. We came together and made it happen," said McCreath.
It was a joyous scene at the finish line as the Canadian women raced to each other to celebrate, jumping in the air and hugging each other.
"It's just amazing. I don't have the words to describe it. When I gave the stick to Crystal, I just yelled, 'Go girl'. It's just amazing," Leduc said.
Just a couple of weeks ago Leduc broke the national 100m record. She delivered the fastest leg of the evening for the Canadians in a time of 10.18. Emmanuel then charged to the finish line to secure the Olympic spot.
"I've been a veteran for a very long time and I just wanted to help get these ladies to the Games," said Emmanuel, who was a member of the 2016 Olympic team.
"We're letting Canada know we have a women's 4x100m relay team going to the Olympics. Very emotional."
World champions reunite
Shortly after the thrilling women's race, the Canadian men's 4x100m relay team took to the track in front of a boisterous and enthusiastic crowd. Throughout the night they waved Bahamian flags and roared loudly, supporting the sprinters.
Canada's quartet of Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney and Andre De Grasse had not raced together since winning world championship gold in 2022, but they were reunited for the World Relays and didn't miss a step.
Brown blasted out of the blocks with the fastest opener of the heat. Then Blake extended Canada's lead. Rodney cruised around the corner and then handed the baton to De Grasse who left the competition behind.
Canada dominated the heat, winning without doubt in a time of 38.11. As De Grasse crossed the finish line he waved his hands in the air before high-fiving organizers on the track.
"Super grateful. Third Olympics. Dream come true. Just to be here with these guys to do this all over again feels really good. And we're going for gold," De Grasse said.
They advance to Sunday night's final, which will likely come down to a showdown with the Americans who posted the fastest time of the evening at 37.49.
"They're going to be our biggest competitor. We always have a rivalry and we look forward to doing it again like we did in Oregon," De Grasse said, referring to the world championship win in Eugene, Ore., over the Americans in 2022.
Then it was time for the women's 4x400m relay team to try and follow up their previous two Canadian teams success and also earn an Olympic spot.
And they did not disappoint.
Zoe Sherar, Aiyanna Stiverne, Kyra Constatine and Alyssa Marsh put forward a complete team effort, surging to second place and securing a spot to the Paris 2024 Games in a time of 3:27.17.
"It's amazing. We have a really amazing team in the women's 4x400m right now and we came here to get the job done and we did that," Zehar said.
Constantine was part of the Canadian team that finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics, now preparing to head back to the Games.
"Another one. I'm excited. This moment is just super special. And this team is special. It's just fun. I love running with them," she said.
There were five events being contested on Saturday evening. Canada failed to qualify for the Olympics in the mixed 4x400m relay and the men's 4x400m relay.
Both teams will get one final chance to qualify on Sunday night in the repechage round. Canada will once again need a top-two finish in the heat to lock up an Olympic berth.
"Our 4x400 will be in Paris. I promise you," said Myles Misener-Daly, who ran the anchor leg for the Canadian men.
