In anticipation of the upcoming World Athletics Ultimate Championship, fans are gearing up for the Diamond League Final happening this week, where a Canadian trio is poised for success. Sprinter Audrey Leduc, middle-distance runner Marco Arop, and shot put star Sarah Mitton are all set to compete for top honors and the $30,000 US prize in their respective events in Brussels on Friday.
Teammate Andre De Grasse, initially slated for the men’s 200 meters in Belgium on Saturday, had to withdraw due to personal commitments, as confirmed by Athletics Canada. The athletes vying in the Diamond League Final earned their spots through points accumulated on the Road to the Final, spanning 14 series meetings across four continents from April to August.
The 50th edition of the Allianz Memorial Van Damme meet at King Baudouin Stadium will feature 40 reigning world and/or Olympic champions, including Mitton, who aims to secure her second Diamond League Trophy in Belgium. Last year, Mitton lost the title following a successful protest against her winning throw.
Mitton’s shot put journey saw her registering a 20.67-meter throw, which was later invalidated due to stepping out of the circle prematurely. Despite this setback, her subsequent 19.99-meter throw secured her a third-place standing. The shot put competition is scheduled to commence at 12:30 p.m. ET on Friday.
Arop, who clinched bronze at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, eyes another strong performance after finishing third in Zurich last year. Leduc, making her first Final appearance, secured a spot in the women’s 200 meters with a standout performance in Rabat.
A win in Brussels could secure Arop or Leduc a spot in the World Athletics Ultimate Championship with a prize pool of $10 million US. Notably, women’s shot put won’t be contested in Budapest. Besides the Canadian contingent, other distinguished athletes like Julien Alfred, Sha’Carri Richardson, and Jakob Ingebrigtsen are set to compete in Brussels.
Unfortunately, the men’s one-hour race was canceled in Brussels due to an injury suffered by Frenchman Jimmy Gressier. Canadian Olympian Rory Linkletter, scheduled to compete, will now focus on the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Copenhagen in September.
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