Latest news with #AthleticsCanada
Vancouver Sun
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Canadian shot putter Sarah Mitton brings her new technique to Harry Jerome Track Classic
With her flowing red hair and bright smile, her patriotic commitment to supporting Canadian athletics and an ability to bravely face adversity, shot putter Sarah Mitton easily connects with track and field fans. The native of tiny Brooklyn, N.S., is the Canadian record holder, two-time world indoor champion, world outdoor silver medallist and reigning Diamond League champion. On July 15, she'll make her third consecutive appearance at the Harry Jerome Track Classic at Swangard Stadium, looking to continue her bounce back from the sting of failing to medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics when she finished 12th. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Ranked No. 3 in the world, the 29-year-old feels like she's just reaching her prime. A subtle technique change helped her throw a personal best 20.68 metres indoors in February and 20.48 to win the world indoor championship in Nanjing, China, on March 21. And she feels there is more to come. 'I'm getting to a point where everything is so consistent,' she said in an interview this week. 'My competition experience is quite high, my mental experience is quite high. As long as I can keep my body healthy, I feel like I've got a few more good years in me.' Those years will continue with Diamond League events across Europe and Asia, the 2028 Olympics, world championships and a selection of meets on the Athletics Canada National Track and Field Tour. Mitton won the Royal City Inferno in Guelph, Ont., (20.35 metres on June 18) and finished second (20.39) at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Ore., on July 5. She'll compete at a Diamond League meet in Monaco on July 11, the Edmonton Athletics Invitational on July 13 and then the Jerome two days later. 'Yeah, the next week and a half is a bit crazy and there's a good chance I'll be running on fumes again, but I think it's important to show up for meets in Canada. Even though I'm at a point where I've got standard (for world championships in Tokyo on Sept. 20), I appreciate everything Athletics Canada does and I want to support their meets so they can continue to grow and my presence can help training partners and friends who need points.' Her technique change in January was very subtle as she moved her right foot about 40 degrees at the start of her rotation. The idea is to create a longer pathway for the shot, giving her a bit longer to apply force on the ball. She's throwing consistently in the mid 20-metre range with a goal to surpass the 21-metre mark, something that hasn't been accomplished by a female shot putter since 2011. Mitton was nearly beaten to that mark by American rival Chase Jackson last Saturday when the tattooed, two-time world outdoors champion uncorked a stunning effort of 20.95 in Rathdrum, Idaho. 'I was quite happy for her, we're good mates,' said Mitton. 'Obviously, competitive wise, I'm grateful for those five centimetres (short of 21). I still have an opportunity to get her and be the first to 21.' The world record, the third-longest standing one in track and field, is 22.63 metres, set by Russian Natalya Lisovskaya in June, 1987. That was back when Eastern European women were routinely going over 22 metres while being dogged by allegations of using performance-enhancing drugs. Now, along with Mitton, the top-10 world rankings include three Americans, a New Zealander, a Swede, two Chinese women and throwers from the Netherlands and Germany. Mitton won't rule out a clean thrower busting past 22 metres at some point in the future. 'The group of women where we are right now, I don't see throws of 22 metres. It's going to take a special talent, but with all the resources available right now, all the info from us 'old dogs,' changes in technique . . . I can see 22 metres in the future.' Mitton will be challenged at the Jerome by American Jessica Ramsey (20.12 personal best) and Jamaican Danniel Thomas-Dodd, who won last year's meet with a throw of 19.32 metres. Mitton, still reeling from the death of her father and worn down by a busy schedule, could manage just 18.82. Then at the Paris Olympics in August, after throwing half a metre further than the field in qualifying, early rain and a slick throwing circle on the final day caused Mitton to come unravelled. She got in only three attempts with a best of just 17.48 metres. 'In hindsight, I think it's easy to see that, emotionally, I wasn't able to handle a situation that I feel like I should have been able to handle, given the calibre of athlete that I think I am. I just kind of crumbled a little bit.' But she did exit interviews, then returned to the throwers area to watch the remaining competition, even hugging and smiling with the medallists. She says now that as she looks ahead to more world championships and the 2028 Olympics, she is in a 'really great place. I'm getting in a good groove and figuring out how to throw farther. 'I want to separate myself as a gold medal winner consistently . . . and outdoor gold in Tokyo would be really exciting.'
CTV News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
‘The biggest events that Athletics Canada has': Officials detail work that went into landing two major track and field events
Tourism London officials say years of work went into their bid for a pair of major Canadian athletic events. CTV's Gerry Dewan reports. It's the culmination of years of work resulting in London being awarded two major track and field events, both Olympic qualifiers. London will host the 2027 Canadian Track and Field Championships and the 2028 Bell Track and Field Trials. Chloe Knox competes in long jump and triple jump and was getting some work at Western Alumni Stadium Friday morning, 'I've trained here since I was like seven years old. So, it's like, ideal for me.' Last year, Knox won gold in the U-Sports Track and Field competition and bronze in the Canadian Track and Field Championships. She's recovering from injury this year, but wants the chance to compete in her hometown, 'I'm not sure that I'll compete this outdoor season. But my goal moving forward would be to finish on the podium for the next couple of Canadian Championships.' 'The biggest events that Athletics Canada has,' emphasized Zanth Jarvis. Jarvis is director of Sport Tourism for Tourism London. 'We're so fortunate to work with them and all of our partners around the city to really showcase our community and the talent and the support we have for the sport of track and field here.' Western Alumni Stadium Thomas Helland and Morgan Reevie train at Western Alumni Stadium on June 27, 2025. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London) Like a track athlete getting in shape for a major competition, Western University has spent years getting Western Alumni Stadium in shape for the upcoming events. 'It makes it a fantastic facility,' said Christine Stapleton. She is Western's Director of Sports Recreation. 'Great for the smallest track and field incoming athlete in the clubs here, to an Olympian like Alysha Newman and Damian Warner.' The track, infield, grandstands, stadium lighting, scoreboard and sound systems have been, or will be, upgraded. Stapleton says they all contribute to being able to achieve and retain certification from track and field's governing bodies, 'In order to maintain that certification, we have to adhere to the standards. So, the lines were painted by an I.A.A.F. (International Association of Athletics Federations) certified line painter, brought in from Europe to paint the lines for us.' That effort is giving local athletes a special opportunity. Thomas Helland specializes in running the 400m race, 'I've grown up in London, we always had to travel to meets like this. It's nice to have these big events here for us to just kind of showcase without having to go far. It makes use of a nice facility like you see here, and it highlights like local talent.' Morgan Reevie is a sprinter. She told CTV News the announcement had an immediate impact, 'It kind of lit a fire under everyone's butt to just really keep everything in gear, and to just get there, be healthy and be ready to go.' Jarvis says the event is another opportunity to showcase London to athletes, their families, and friends from across Canada. But Jarvis said organizers also want to inspire the next generation of young competitors, 'We're hoping that an event like this can create that legacy for the next generation. To see these athletes firsthand grow our community sport groups grow the sports.'
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
London to host 2027 & 2028 Olympic/World trials
Damian Warner, of Canada, celebrates after winning the Men's heptathlon at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, March 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) The road to Beijing and Los Angeles will run through London. Athletics Canada has announced that the Forest City will host the 2027 Canadian Track & Field Trials and the 2028 Bell Track & Field Trials. 'Anytime you can bring the best athletes in the country to your backyard, it's exciting, and the Olympic Trials always offers that little extra something because athletes' dreams are on the line,' said London Western TFC Club Manager Scott MacDonald. The event will run Aug. 9-15 and will serve as the Canadian team selection trials for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing that September. In 2028, the Bell Track & Field Trials will run from June 14 to 18 and will help determine the athletes competing for Canada in Track & Field at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 'It's an incredible honour,' said Western University Sports & Recreation Director Christine Stapleton." From Olympic champion Damian Warner's training grounds to our U SPORTS national title-winning teams, our legacy in athletics runs deep, and we're proud to host Canada's finest as they chase Olympic and Paralympic dreams.' Among the long list of elite athletes from London who have represented Canada on the world stage are Olympic champion Damian Warner, Olympic bronze medallist Alysha Newman, Pan American Games champion Jessica Zelinka, and Parapan American Games champion Kevin Strybosch.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Dinner, porn, and betrayal: The staggering case of Coach Ken Porter and the hidden abuse that haunted athletes for decades
In a decision that brings a painful saga spanning nearly five decades to a legal conclusion, 76-year-old Thomas Kenneth Porter, a former Edmonton track coach, has been found guilty of historical sexual offenses against three teenage boys he coached in the 1970s. The ruling, delivered by Court of King's Bench Justice Nicholas Devlin on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, marks a significant moment for the victims, some of whom have waited years for justice. In this case, the incidents date back to 1976-1980, when the victims were between 15 and 17 years old. The charges brought against Porter were " indecent assault " and " gross indecency ," which were the relevant Criminal Code offenses at that time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 손끝에서 빛나는 반지 [지금 확인] 월드비전 더 알아보기 Undo Justice Devlin concluded that Porter, under the guise of athletic massages, sexually touched the teens for his gratification. Disturbingly, one incident involved Porter inviting boys to his apartment for dinner, showing them pornography, and then offering "rubdowns", his term for the massages he gave young athletes. This predatory behavior was deemed an "exploitation or perversion of contact by a trusted adult," causing "discomfort, confusion, and even revulsion among the victims." Live Events The story is brought vividly to life through the testimony of Chris Dallin, who, at 14, began training with Porter. He was the first to report his experiences to the police in 2007, nearly 30 years after the abuse. Almost 20 years later, and close to 50 years after the initial trauma, Dallin bravely asked the court to lift the publication ban on his name. "I no longer have any shame about this," he stated, emphasizing the importance of sharing his story and helping others understand that "it's OK to kind of go through this." This criminal case emerged after a 2019 independent investigation commissioned by Athletics Canada , led by former Ontario ombudsman André Marin, into widespread sexual misconduct allegations. Marin's report ultimately led to Porter's firing as chair of the Ottawa Lions track and field club and a lifetime ban from Athletics Canada. Notably, Marin "astonishingly" encouraged complainants to reach out to each other, a factor that later led to questions about potential influence on memories during the trial. While Porter was found guilty of two counts of indecent assault and three counts of gross indecency, he was acquitted on five other charges, including those related to an alleged sexual assault in a Saskatoon hotel room involving Dallin. Despite the acquittal on the hotel incident, Justice Devlin explicitly stated he was "sure Mr. Porter sexually touched [Dallin] for his gratification," finding the coach was "infatuated" with the teenage Dallin. Porter's own "shifting, self-serving, almost desperate evidence" left him "bereft of credibility" in the judge's eyes, who further stated that Porter "was not concerned at all with sexually arousing the teenage boys he was laying hands on." Dallin, who endured years of struggle with drug and alcohol dependency after the trauma, expressed disappointment over the acquittal on the hotel incident but was grateful for how seriously the case was handled. "Kids, young people, need a few people out there who show the way," Dallin said, hoping his story encourages others to break their silence. Porter remains on bail, awaiting his sentence, which will be determined at a later date.
CTV News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Increased prize money brings Olympic and national athletes to Forest City Road Races
The 2025 Canada Life Forest City Road Races (FCRR) increased its prize money by one-third, and it drew a record crowd with nearly 1,000 more runners over 2024. If you pay them, they will come. The 2025 Canada Life Forest City Road Races (FCRR) increased its prize money by one-third, and it drew a record crowd with nearly 1,000 more runners over 2024. 'We have become an Athletics Canada (AC) sanctioned event. and we're also working with the World Athletics Association,' said Shauna Versloot, FCRR race director. 'We increased our prize money, adding a fourth-place finish and increasing our prize money from $12,500 last year to over $18,000 this year.' That money helped draw Olympic, national and international athletes to London. 'London is my favourite place to run, and I came back and trained here before the Olympics in 2016,' said Lanni Marchant, a London-born Olympic runner who now lives in Tennessee. 080625 - London races Olympian Lanni Marchant from London, Ont. crosses the finish line in a time of 34:16 to win the 10k race in the 2025 Forest City Road Races on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV News London) 'Everybody gets to come out and see where I come from, and Athletics Canada and Forest City Road Races are going to pair together. It's going to be awesome.' Marchant won the women's 10k races in a time of 34.16. 'I always joke for our size, we have a lot of Olympians and pro athletes that have come out of here,' says Marchant. 'So, it will be really cool to see how big this event gets and who it pulls from across the country to come up. Rachel Hannah - a medallist at Pan Ams in 2015 - she won the half-marathon in 1:17.' Hannah, from Port Elgin, Ont. was able to fit this years FCRR into her schedule, and it paid off with a win in the newly sanctioned AC event. 080625 - London races Rachel Hannah of Port Elgin, Ont. won the Athletics Canada sanctioned half-marathon at 2025 Forest City Road Races on Sunday, June 8, 2025. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV News London) 'It's certified and the prize money is really fantastic,' said Hannah, who took home $2,000 for her victory in the half-marathon. 'It really helps runners and sometimes it can be difficult when you are training a lot of hours, so it's fantastic to have the support. When we have more competitors, especially women, we push each other more, so it's really great'. With AC coming on board, there is some other unique elements that accompany a more professional-style event. It was rare to see a doping-control tent next to the finish line, and officials escorting the top finishers in for testing. 'It legitimizes it, and I think us as athletes, we appreciate it when it shows the event is putting in the amount of work we're putting into it,' said Marchant. With the half-marathon joining AC's Road Race Label Series Events, it brings the FCRR to an national-level of competition. 'In all three of the distances here in the 5K, 10K and half marathon, they've got top level athletes including several national team members are part of these races,' said Ian Reid, an on-site official with Athletics Canada. 'It's really providing a top-level race for athletes in Ontario and if things progress well, getting people from across the country to come.' More athletes mean more money coming in for the beneficiary which is the Thames Valley Children's Centre (TVCC). 'A lot of our programs are paid for by the Ministry, but a lot of them aren't,' said Jill Bell, director of clinical services at TVCC. 'Fundraisers like this support the programs that the Ministry doesn't. A lot of things that just help kids be kids and help them thrive in what they're doing and have more fun in their life.' 080625 - London races Jill Bell of the Thames Valley Children's Centre hugs her son Kingsley who is a TVCC client. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV News London) The money goes to support programs like recreation and leisure, parents and caregivers and equipment rentals. With nearly 4,000 competitors, the FCRR has helped pack every hotel in the downtown area, and bring a massive boost to the local tourism industry. With increased prize money, runners are starting to take notice of the FCRR, and it is on its way to becoming a world-class event. 'My goal to make it as big and as world class in London, Ontario as we possibly can,' said Versloot.
