The top track and field athletes from Canada will gather in Ottawa this weekend aiming to secure spots at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September. For athletes, the process appears straightforward on paper: mark the national championships on the calendar, arrange travel, plan training, and arrive in peak condition. However, the reality is much more complex, akin to juggling numerous events worldwide and managing a host of logistical challenges. Richard Parkinson, a coach with Athletics Canada, likened the experience to solving a 3,000-piece puzzle without all the necessary pieces.
One of the athletes under Parkinson’s guidance is Sarah Mitton, a two-time world indoor champion and four-time national champion in women’s shot put. Parkinson emphasized the collaborative nature of their planning process, highlighting the strategic approach they take in identifying key competitions where Mitton needs to excel. This meticulous planning begins as early as the conclusion of the previous season’s major events, with Parkinson dedicating vacation time to mapping out the upcoming season’s schedule, focusing on crucial meets like the world indoor and outdoor championships, as well as the Diamond League events.
While established athletes leverage their world rankings to secure invitations to prestigious meets, newcomers like Canadian sprinter Audrey Leduc face a more uncertain path. Leduc, who recently signed with Adidas, shared her experience of receiving a last-minute invite to a Diamond League event, underscoring the need for flexibility and strategic decision-making when balancing competition opportunities. The challenge lies in accepting invitations judiciously to ensure peak performance while avoiding overexertion in a demanding season.
Travel poses another significant hurdle for Canadian athletes, given that most high-profile meets and prize money opportunities are in Europe. Without their usual support team on hand, athletes like Leduc must find innovative ways to manage recovery and perform at their best. Parkinson highlighted the importance of familiarizing oneself with treatment professionals at international meets, emphasizing the need to maintain peak physical condition amidst a grueling competition schedule.
Flexibility emerged as a recurring theme in the world of track and field, with plans often subject to last-minute changes and uncertainties. Parkinson and Mitton found themselves adapting to unexpected developments, such as the potential cancellation of a meet in Beijing, forcing them to rethink their competition schedule leading up to the World Championships. Amidst the unpredictability of the sport, one constant remains: the necessity for athletes and coaches alike to embrace adaptability in pursuit of success on the track.