In June 2024, Gabriela DeBues-Stafford participated in the Harry Jerome Track Classic in Burnaby, B.C., with her sights set on the 5,000 meters at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Despite feeling discouraged about her chances in the 1,500 meters, she decided to compete after a moment of doubt before the race.
During the women’s 5,000 meters, DeBues-Stafford made an impressive comeback, overtaking Alma Cortez in the final lap to secure a victory with a time of 15 minutes 17.48 seconds. Her coach, Rowan DeBues, highlighted the strategic importance of her performance as she aimed to meet the qualification standards for the Paris Olympics.
Despite facing setbacks from previous injury-plagued seasons, the Toronto native narrowly missed qualifying for the Olympics by a single world ranking point, equivalent to a mere 0.3-second difference across her three best 5,000 meters races. Following this disappointment, DeBues-Stafford contemplated retirement but decided to persist and concluded the season on a high note by winning the national championships in Montreal.
Reflecting on her journey, DeBues-Stafford acknowledged the challenges she faced and the internal struggle she experienced about her future in athletics. However, her determination and resilience led her to set new goals, including competing in both the 1,500 and 5,000 meters at the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Having met the qualifying standards for the championships in both events, DeBues-Stafford’s recent successes have reignited her passion for racing and provided a renewed sense of purpose in her career. With a focus on continuous improvement and a positive mindset, she remains optimistic about her prospects at the upcoming competitions and beyond.