It was a light day for Canada at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London, England, with only three athletes in action. Sage Watson of Medicine Hat, Alta., advanced to the semifinals of the 400-metre hurdles. Aaron Brown of Toronto looked to have advanced to the 200-metre semis, however, shortly after the race he was disqualified for a lane violation.
Watson qualified for the 400-metre hurdle semifinals by posting a time of 55.06 seconds to finish second in her heat. When asked how she felt, “It was a strong race, I made a few errors, I have to fix those for the semifinals tomorrow. I’m excited to be here and I want to make that final.” On the errors, “I think I just relaxed on the corner too much. I need to make sure I’m coming off the hurdles smoother in the last 100-metres.”
Watson, who has had a really strong season, feels like she has something special coming, “Make the final and break the Canadian record (held by Rosey Edeh – 54.39).”
Noelle Montcalm of Belle River, Ont., did not qualify for the semifinals. Montcalm was eighth in her heat in a time of 57.45 seconds. To advance she needed top four or a time of 56.49 or faster. “I felt good in warm-up, felt sharp. But then I couldn’t find my rhythm, hurdles are all about rhythm racing and I just couldn’t find it. My legs just weren’t feeling it today.”
The 400-metre hurdle semifinals are tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 3:35 p.m. ET.
Brown won his heat of the men’s 200-metres in a seasonal best time of 20.08 seconds and looked to be advancing to the semifinals. However, shortly after the results were posted, Brown showed a disqualification on the official results for IAAF rule 0.159 (stepping on the line).
He spoke to the media before finding out he was disqualified, “I have been working really hard, I wanted to come out, execute and show the things I’ve been working on in training.” Brown looked really strong in the race. “Once I got off the curve my strategy was to put myself in a position where I was in command of the race and just try and conserve energy over the last 50-metres.”
Brown was one of the athletes to be effected by a stomach bug earlier this week. “I got sick, I was one of the athletes in quarantine three days ago. I was in my room like a vampire, in the dark, I’m fully healthy now.”
Canadian Day 5 Worlds preview (all times ET)
The podium is within reach for four Canadians on Day 5 of the 2017 IAAF World Championships.
Canadian record-holder Elizabeth Gleadle (Vancouver) looks to better her 62.97-metre mark from qualifying in the women’s javelin final at 2:20 p.m.
At 2:30 p.m., Crystal Emmanuel (East York, Ont.) takes to the track in the women’s 200-metre heats.
Reigning world champion Shawn Barber (Toronto) will defend his title at 2:35 p.m. in the men’s pole vault final.
Hurdler Sage Watson races at 3:35 p.m. in the women’s 400-metre hurdle semifinals.
Brittany Crew (Toronto) and Taryn Suttie (Hanley, Sask.) look to quality in the women’s shot put at 3:40 p.m.
Steeplechaser Matt Hughes (Oshawa, Ont.) will compete in the men’s 3000-metres steeplechase final at 4:10 p.m.
After finishing first in his semifinal, Brandon McBride (Windsor, Ont.) steps on the track in the men’s 800-metres final at 4:35 p.m. looking for a place on the podium.
Visit Athletics Canada’s World Championships Information Hub for everything you need to know about Canada’s team, including complete schedule info, CBC webcast / broadcast information and more.
