February 2/20 22:27 pm - Canada Ninth in Medal Count at Para Track Worlds

Posted by Editoress on 02/2/20
 

The Para Track World Championships concluded on Sunday after four days of intense competition at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario.  Canada had a strong outing, with riders winning four medals - one gold and three silver - as well as setting two world records, multiple Canadian records and personal best performances.  Canada finished ninth overall in the medal standings.

On the final day of competition the tandem team of Lowell Taylor and Ed Veal were the only Canadians on the track, finishing 14th in the Flying 200 metre time trial qualifying event for the Sprint.  They did not advance to the next round.

"It's been a really good Worlds for Team Canada this week," said Sebastien Travers, Head Coach of the Para program.  "Racing on home soil is exceptional for us and we are so thankful to have this experience.  All of our athletes were able to perform personal bests, which means that our prep has been really good and our athletes were able to showcase what they are capable of."

A total of 151 athletes, representing 31 nations participated in the Championships; the final international track event before the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in six months time.  A record number of world records - 36 - were set at the Championships, testifying to the depth of competition as nations build towards the Games.

"To have all these world records broken on a track that is not one of the fastest in the world is quite amazing and promising for performances in Tokyo," commented Travers.  "At our end, it confirms what we need to work on for the next six months to be able to to prepare for Tokyo."