Brendon Rodney makes the case for his team being Canada’s 4x100m relay GOAT
Brendon Rodney is confident that his men’s 4×100-metre relay team is the best in Canadian history. With teammates Aaron Brown, Andre De Grasse, and Jerome Blake, Rodney believes they have a chance to solidify their claim at this year’s world championships.
In a recent interview with CBC Sports Trackside co-hosts Perdita Felicien and Brown, Rodney discussed what sets his team apart and how they compare to the legendary Donovan Bailey-led squad of the 90s. De Grasse had previously expressed his desire for their team to be known as the greatest Canadian relay team ever, prompting Felicien to ask Rodney for his thoughts on the matter.
“We’re definitely the best, I mean, in the fact that we have the national record. It’s just the truth,” Rodney confidently stated. “I don’t think Donovan [Bailey] will admit it yet, but we are definitely the better team, and if we lined up against them side-by-side, we would beat them.”
The 90s-era team of Bailey, Glenroy Gilbert, Bruny Surin, and Robert Esmie achieved great success, winning two world titles and Olympic gold in 1996 with a national record time of 37.69 seconds. However, Rodney, Brown, De Grasse, and Blake have also made their mark by capturing Olympic gold in Paris last summer and securing a world title in Eugene, Oregon, where they set the current national record time of 37.48 seconds.
Rodney acknowledged the importance of medals in solidifying their status as the best relay team in Canadian history. He expressed his desire to continue striving for success and adding more gold medals to their collection.
While Bailey reacted playfully to Rodney’s comments, he emphasized that the two teams should not be directly compared due to the different eras in which they competed. Despite the friendly banter, both teams have left an indelible mark on Canadian track and field history.
Rodney, Brown, Blake, and De Grasse recently qualified for the 2025 World Athletics Championships after a successful performance at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China. Despite a minor hiccup in the final, the team secured a bronze medal and is eager to continue their pursuit of excellence.
As they look ahead to future competitions, Rodney and his teammates remain focused on pushing their limits and achieving more victories together. With an Olympic gold already under their belt, they are determined to see just how far they can go as a team and add to their impressive track record.
