Olympic champion relay sprinters voted CP team of the year
In a stunning display of speed and teamwork, Andre De Grasse watched in awe as his Canadian teammates Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, and Brendon Rodney blazed through the 4×100-metre relay at the Paris Olympics. Brown exploded out of the blocks with lightning speed, passing the baton to Blake who sprinted down Lane 9 before Rodney kept up the pace heading towards De Grasse, the anchor of the team.
De Grasse, nursing a hamstring injury, took the final handoff and powered the underdog Canadian team to an unexpected gold medal. Coach Glenroy Gilbert praised the team’s performance, saying, “Those guys were in control of the race. And once you put the stick in Andre’s hands… it’s a no-brainer.” De Grasse, known for his composure under pressure, sealed the victory for his team.
The relay team’s victory was a redemption for their disappointing individual performances in Paris. Despite failing to reach the finals in their respective events, the team came together to claim the gold medal in the relay. De Grasse tied swimmer Penny Oleksiak as Canada’s most decorated Olympian with seven medals.
The Canadian men’s 4×100-metre relay team’s triumph earned them The Canadian Press team of the year award for 2024. Their electrifying performance garnered 37 of 53 votes from sports writers, broadcasters, and editors across the country. The team’s unexpected victory over powerhouse nations was hailed as one of the most memorable moments of the Paris Olympics.
Brown’s rallying speech before the relay final inspired his teammates to give it their all despite the odds stacked against them. The quartet, with a history of success in previous competitions, knew that this could be their last chance to shine together on the Olympic stage.
Looking ahead, the team is focused on defending their title at the upcoming world championships in Tokyo. While they aspire to compete in the 2028 Games, they understand the challenges that come with maintaining their performance over the years. With a target on their backs after their gold medal win in Paris, the Canadian sprinters are prepared to face whatever challenges come their way.
The world now knows who Canada is, thanks to the heroic efforts of Brown, Blake, Rodney, and De Grasse. Their victory in Paris has solidified their place in Canadian sports history, and they are determined to continue making their mark on the track for years to come.
