The Road to the Rio Olympic Games is littered with hurdles, or high-jump bars in the case of Corunna, Ontario native Derek Drouin.
Although he is one of the top elites in the world in his event, qualification comes in one, single and final competition taking place in TrackTown, Canada (Edmonton) from July 7 to July 10. Regardless of how “ready” a Canadian athlete gets themselves in advance of the Rio Olympic trials; they still need to perform top-two during the meet and in some cases top-three. Drouin is no exception. He will be in Victoria to fine tune his game.
The twenty-six-year-old, six-foot, five-inch jumper is the defending IAAF World Track and Field Championships gold medallist. He is coming to Victoria, June 19th in preparation to take on the world during the Rio trials and likely the Rio Games.
“I’m excited to compete in Victoria for my first time,” said the former Indiana Hoosiers athlete. “It’s a privilege for us, as Canadian athletes, to compete on Canadian soil, rather than having to fly to Europe to find great competition, especially in an Olympic year.”
Drouin is well versed in preparing for global competition. In addition to being the reining defending world champion, he is also the defending 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and 2015 Toronto Pan American Games gold medallist as well as the 2012 NCAA Division 1 champion. He earned bronze medals during the 2012 London Olympics and 2013 Moscow Worlds, but his standard is now gold and he will be seeking Olympic glory for Canada this summer.
Drouin would have to perform the most tremendous meltdown to not make Team Canada, but this is track and field, anything can and usually does happen.
Victoria serves as an important date on the competition schedule for all participating athletes including Drouin. The Victoria Track Classic is part of the National Track League; a five event series that takes place each year in Halifax, Guelph, Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria.
“I’m thankful that the National Track League for gives us that opportunity,” shared Drouin.
The Victoria Track Classic is happening June 19 at the University of Victoria’s Centennial Stadium and will feature some of the most talented track and field athletes in Canada and the world, who will be seeking Olympic calibre performances in sprints, middle-distance and various throws events. The Victoria Track Classis is a major track meet for Canada and an opportunity for Victoria sport fans to get out and enjoy high level sport.