By: Jonathan Yue

After six grueling days of competition, it was finally Mathieu Bilodeau’s turn to compete in the 50-kilometre race walk to close out the 2019 Pan American Games.

After starting strong in the lead pack, Bilodeau maintained his spot in fourth place through 35-kilomentres. Unfortunately for the Quebec City native, he was forced to withdraw from the race around the 40-kilometre mark due to severe leg pain.

Overall, it has been a successful competition in Lima for the Canadian athletics team that will bring home five gold, six silver and four bronze medals – the most medals since 1979, with the exception of the 1999 (four gold, two silver and nine bronze) and 2015 (11 gold, seven silver and nine bronze) Pan American Games that were both contested on home soil.

“It was a very positive outcome for a lot of the athletes,” said head coach Glenroy Gilbert. “They came in to better their pre-entry results, had to deal with some cold weather, but it was certainly levelled playing field. Overall in medals and results, it was probably one of our best Pan Am Games.”

When asked about the highlight of the Games, Gilbert pointed to two competitions in particular that stood out during their time in Lima. “I really enjoyed Natasha Wodak win the 10,000-metre final and last night Marco Arop’s 800-metre final, huge and a second off his personal best. One of the things that we strive for and push for our athletes is being able to perform on demand. Being able to come to a championship meet and deliver a performance on demand, meaning personal bests, top eight finishes, winning medals. A lot of our athletes were able to do that and it’s on to the Doha World Championships.”

Canadian Top 8 finishes in athletics at the 2019 Pan American Games:

• Marco Arop – GOLD, men’s 800-metres (1:44.25, Games record)
• Natasha Wodak – GOLD, women’s 10,000-metres (31:55.17, Games record)
• Sage Watson – GOLD, women’s 400-metre hurdles (55.16 seconds)
• Geneviève Lalonde – GOLD, women’s 3,000-metre steeplechase (1:44.25, Games record)
• Damian Warner – GOLD, men’s decathlon (8,513 points)
• Jessica O’Connell – SILVER, women’s 5,000-metres (15:36.08)
• Natassha McDonald, Aiyanna Stiverne, Kyra Constantine, Sage Watson – SILVER, women’s 4x400-metre relay (3:27.01)
• Michael Mason – SILVER, men’s high jump (2.28 metres)
• Brittany Crew – SILVER, women’s shot put (19.07 metres, Canadian record)
• Elizabeth Gleadle – SILVER, women’s javelin throw (63.30 metres)
• Khamica Bingham, Crystal Emmanuel, Ashlan Best, Leya Buchanan – SILVER, women’s 4x100-metre relay (43.37 seconds)
• William Paulson – BRONZE, men’s 1,500-metres (3:41.15)
• Rachel Cliff – BRONZE, women’s 10,000-metres (32:13.24)
• Alysha Newman – BRONZE, women’s pole vault (4.55- metres)
• Pierce LePage – BRONZE, men’s decathlon (8,161 points)
• Crystal Emmanuel – 4th, women’s 200-metres (22.89 seconds)
• Tim Nedow – 4th, men’s shot put (20.48 metres)
• Gavin Smellie, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney, Mobolade Ajomale – 4th, men’s 4x100-metre relay (39.00 seconds)
• Kyra Constantine – 5th, women’s 400-metres (51.99 seconds)
• Lindsey Butterworth – 5th, women’s 800-metres (20:02.58)
• Regan Yee – 5th, women’s 3,000-metre steeplechase (10:00.08)
• Evan Dunfee – 5th, men’s 20km race walk (1:22.27)
• Jerome Blake – 6th, men’s 200-metres (20.66 seconds)
• Rory Linkletter – 6th, men’s 10,000-metres (28:38.49)
• Ryan Smeeton – 6th, men’s 3,000-metre steeplechase (8:41.85)
• Sarah Mitton – 6th, women’s shot put (17.62 metres)
• Kelsie Ahbe – 6th, women’s pole vault (4.35 metres)
• Camryn Rogers – 6th, women’s hammer throw (66.09 metres)
• Crystal Emmanuel – 7th, women’s 100-metres (11.41 seconds)
• Jillian Weir – 8th, women’s hammer throw (65.41 metres)

Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/Canadian Olympic Committee