Track and field athletes compete in Montreal, hoping to represent Canada at Paris Olympics

Canadian athletes are hoping to run away with a new record in order to represent Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Athletes are competing at the Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard in Montreal where the 2024 Bell Track & Field Trials are taking center stage.

“I think right now in Canada we’ve got a great stable of distance runners. And I think for me, as well as other athletes, like a lot of the challenge is like navigating it both physically but also mentally,” said Kieran Lumb, a middle-and long-distance runner.

The trials take place until June 30th. They include national championships for Senior, U20, Para Athletics, and combined events.

Among the competitors is Ben Flanagan from Kitchener, Ontario. Recently, he broke his own record by taking first place in the 10k men’s category at the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend with a time of 28:09, setting a new Canadian Championship record.

He hopes to continue his streak and is set to compete Thursday in the 5,000 metres, Senior category here in Montreal.

“Phase one was doing it, so phase one was doing everything I could to put myself in the best position possible to qualify. And this is phase two, just trying to seal the deal here at the trials. So, all of my preparation has been focused on this race and bringing the best out of myself so I can hopefully qualify for that team,” said Flanagan.

Although Flanagan is ready, he can’t help but feel the pressure.

“The biggest one is the nerves. I mean, there’s some great competition here and in such a big summer, the stakes get pretty high. So, it’s really just staying relaxed, treating it like another race and trusting my training, my support and everything else to just seal the deal,” he eplained.

“I mean this is a huge year, 2024. I feel like all athletes in Canada are just getting excited about the Olympics in Paris.”

Also racing at the Canadian trials as of Friday in the fifteen hundred metre, Senior category is Lumb – from Vancouver, B.C.

“The last couple months of preparation have been great. For me, what that’s looked like is mostly training and racing. So, I think I’ve raced the last three weekends, kind of tuning up and building fitness through,” said Lumb.

Flanagan adds, “Anyone in Montreal, come watch. It’s going to be a great event. Canada’s best is here, so we hope to see you throughout this week.”