AC - Looking back at 2017, how do you evaluate the season and your accomplishments?
BC - The goal going into the 2017 World Championships was to make the final. The fact that I accomplished that goal was an outstanding achievement. When I realized I qualified for the final on my last attempt, the feeling that came over me was indescribable. Once I calmed down, I recognized that I had a job to do the next day and that was to set the bar even higher by placing in the Top 8. It was a stretch, but a realistic goal, and now I have the confidence that one day I can be standing on top of that World Championships podium. Going into FISU my goal was to win. Two years before, I had a huge personal best to put me into the bronze-medal position and take home a medal for my country. It made me hungry to want to stand on top of the podium, and two years later my dream came true.
AC - How did you recharge following the outdoor track and field season?
BC - After a long 2017 season, I spent the last two weeks of summer celebrating with family and friends. Sadly, there was no time for a wanted/needed vacation as school started shortly after I got home from FISU.
AC - You were recently named to the Commonwealth Games team. What are your goals for the Games and the rest of the 2018 season?
BC - My goal for the Commonwealth Games is definitely to bring home a medal for Canada. I am also excited to potentially compete for Canada at the NACAC Championships in Toronto. It will give my family an opportunity to see me in action wearing the maple leaf live and in person. Breaking the 19-metre barrier this season would also be a huge accomplishment.
AC - What is your current training setup?
BC – Currently, I am training in Toronto at the Athletics Canada High Performance Centre attached to the Toronto Track and Field Centre. I am working with my coach of the past four years, Richard Parkinson. At the HPC I have access to a top of the line weight room with two full-time strength and conditioning coaches. I also have access to physio and therapy treatments daily. My training partners consist of Tim Nedow (Canada’s top-ranked men’s shot putter), Trinity Tutti (Youth Commonwealth Games champion), Eli Pawliw (placed fourth at the Canadian Championships in shot put), Eric Brathwaite (placed second at the Canadian Championships in shot put) and occasionally Sarah Mitton (placed third at the Canadian Championships and FISU finalist in shot put).
AC - What memories do you have of competing in Montreal?
BC - I have family that lives in Montreal. My favourite memory was in 2014 at the McGill Team Challenge. I threw over 15 metres for the first time since sustaining an elbow injury. My throw that day broke the York University school record that was held since the 1980s.
You can follow Brittany at:
Twitter - @brittcrew
Instagram - @brittcrew
For more information about Brittany and the field for #MTLGP18, visit www.athletics.local/2018mtlgp.