Saul Taler of Ottawa Lions T.f.c competes in the men's U20 race at the Canadian Cross Country Championships at Fanshawe Golf Course in London, Ontario on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

Taler Makes Canada Debut at World Cross Country Championships in Florida

by Internationallinkinbio

Saul Taler’s first race in a Canadian kit was one he won’t soon forget.

The Ottawa Lions standout represented Canada for the first time Saturday at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Florida, lining up in the U20 men’s 8-kilometre race against the best young distance runners in the world.

For the Queen’s University freshman, simply being on the start line was a moment to savour. “Running for my first national team was a really cool experience”, he reflected afterward. “It was pretty surreal lining up against some of the best runners in the world and it was an honour to compete for the Canadian team.”

Taler finished 41st overall in a field of 73, stopping the clock in 26:18 over one of the most demanding courses the championships have staged in recent years.

Set inside Apalachee Regional Park, the layout was built to showcase Florida’s rugged natural landscape, featuring sand, mud, water crossings and rolling terrain, highlighted by a signature “rollercoaster” section that challenged athletes throughout the race. Two looping circuits forced runners through four obstacle zones apiece, testing rhythm as much as endurance.

“The course was interesting to say the least”, Taler joked after the race. “The obstacles were rhythm breakers but weren’t as bad as I expected. To be honest the sand was probably the worst obstacle since you lost a lot of speed with the bad footing. In that sense, training back home paid off: The Mooney’s Bay sand definitely prepped me well – I’m just grateful it wasn’t as long as the stretch at Capital XC.”

Across the line, he emerged as Canada’s third finisher, 49 seconds behind national team leader Brody Clark, who placed 26th. The Canadian squad combined for 148 points to finish eighth in the team standings, just 12 points behind Spain. Chase Capes (37th), William Scharf (44th), Oliver Crowe (54th) and Eli Torrie (63rd) rounded out the results for the Canadians.

Up front, Kenya once again asserted its dominance, sweeping the podium for the sixth time in World Cross Country history. Frankline Kibet kicked clear in the closing stages to win in 23:18, leading a Kenyan 1-2-3-4 finish and securing team gold.

For Taler, Saturday’s result capped an eye-opening introduction to world-class racing, coming less than a year into his university career. The first-year Gael earned his place on the team after finishing 11th at the Canadian Cross Country Championships in November.

“Being surrounded by world-class athletes was extremely inspiring and motivates me to one day get to that level”, he said. “Going back to Queen’s, I’m more excited than ever to get back to training with the guys and get ready for track season.”

The significance of the performance also resonated back home. Taler’s 41st-place finish marked the best showing by an Ottawa Lion at the World Cross Country Championships since Danelle Woods placed 25th in the women’s U20 race in 2008, and the strongest men’s result since Olympian Sean Kaley finished 29th in the senior men’s short course race at the 1999 championships in Belfast.

In a neat personal twist, the Queen’s rookie even bettered the best World Cross Country result of his own coach, Mark Bomba. The Gaels leader was twice a member of Team Canada at the Championships, posting a best finish of 65th in the short course at the 2003 edition in Lausanne.

With his first international championship now behind him, Tallahassee stands as a major early milestone for one of the Lions’ emerging athletes on the world stage and, if his own words are any indication, just the beginning of a much bigger journey.

Full results from Saturday’s championship are available on the World Athletics website.

Lauren GALE (CAN) competes in the 400m heats at the World Athletics Championships, Tokyo September 14 2025

Gale Shines on Second Leg, Canada Finishes 13th in 4x400m Relay

by Internationallinkinbio

Lauren Gale closed out her World Athletics Championships on Saturday by anchoring Canada’s push in the women’s 4×400-metre relay. Running the second leg, the Lions sprinter produced the fastest split of her team as Canada battled through injuries and a deep field to record a season’s-best performance, though it wasn’t enough to advance to the final.

The Canadian women’s relay squad placed fifth in the second of two heats in Tokyo. Despite clocking 3 minutes 26.33 seconds, their fastest time of the year, Canada finished 13th overall and did not advance.

Gale took the baton from Zoe Sherar in seventh place and surged around the National Stadium. The two time Olympian delivered Canada’s fastest split of the evening and  the fourth-fastest among all second-leg runners, handing off to Alyssa Marsh in fourth place.

“It’s frustrating to not make a final,” said Gale following the heats. “We have the talent to be there and we should be there, but we gave it our all and I think we all got lactic trying our best.”

Canada's Maeliss Trapeau reacts after competing in women's 800 meters semifinal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Trapeau breaks 1:59 in 800m at World Championships

by Internationallinkinbio

Nearly 15 years after first pulling on an Ottawa Lions singlet as a 12-year-old, Maëliss Trapeau lined up this week on track and field’s biggest stage. The former University of Ottawa standout, who collected medals at both the OUA and U Sports levels before moving to France to push her running career forward, returned to represent Canada this summer. On Friday in Tokyo, she showed just how far that journey has taken her.

Trapeau ran a personal-best 1 minute 58.90 seconds to place sixth in her 800-metre semifinal, finishing 16th overall at her first World Athletics Championships. It was the best result by a Lions athlete at the World Athletics Championship since Tim Nedow’s ninth place in the shot put at the 2019 edition.

Her time makes her just the sixth Canadian woman to break the 1:59 barrier and brings her closer to the national and club record of 1:57.01 held by Melissa Bishop-Nriagu.

“I was feeling really good in the warmup. I was flying actually, so I was a little bit more stressed than yesterday,” Trapeau said. “Before the race, my coach told me I could do a 1:58.20. I did not, but I’m still happy that I did a 1:58. It’s a big PB.”

She added: “In the last hundred metres, a girl was beside me and I didn’t want her to pass me, so I pushed through to the end. Thanks to my family, both of my clubs, the French one [Club d’Athlétisme de Martigues] and the Canadian one. It’s really good to finish my season at the World Championships with a PB.”

Trapeau, who won the Canadian title in Ottawa this summer, was cleared to represent Canada after her transfer of allegiance from France was approved by World Athletics in August.

Earlier in the week, Lauren Gale equalled her best individual global Championship result with a 26th-place finish in the women’s 400 metres. Racing in the preliminary round, Gale placed fourth in her heat with a time of 51.56 seconds, falling just 0.19 seconds shy of a semifinal berth.

“The goal is always to make the final,” Gale said while waiting to see if she would advance on time. “It’s been a long season with a couple of injuries. So I’m just happy to be here and representing Canada is always an honour.”

Gale’s world championship is not over. She is expected to run on Canada’s 4×400-metre relay squad, with heats scheduled for Saturday morning at 7am Eastern time. The Canadians will need a top-three finish in their heat, or one of the two fastest remaining times, to move on to Sunday’s final where they will be looking to improve upon their sixth place finish at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

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Gale, Trapeau Named to Team Canada for World Championships in Tokyo

by Internationallinkinbio

From Ottawa to Tokyo, two Lions are set to chase glory on track and field’s biggest stage. Lauren Gale and Maëliss Trapeau will don the maple leaf for Team Canada at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, joining the world’s best athletes inside Japan’s iconic National Stadium this September.

The championships, set for September 13–21, will bring more than 2,000 athletes from 200 countries back to the Japan National Stadium—host venue of the 2020 Olympic Games—for the first time since Tokyo last staged the event in 1991. For Team Canada head coach, and Lions Hall of Famer, Glenroy Gilbert, the return to Tokyo is something special.

“It’s an amazing facility. It’s an amazing stadium. It’s just been waiting for this opportunity to welcome the world back to where the athletes can run in front of a full stadium of spectators,” Gilbert said in the Athletics Canada’s team announcement. “I think the athletes will have a blast. They’ll enjoy it. I’m looking forward to seeing them put on an amazing world championships. To have full stadiums of spectators cheering our athletes on will be a real special added bonus for those athletes that were there four years ago.”

For Gale, Tokyo will mark her second World Championships appearance following her historic debut in Eugene, Oregon, in 2022, when she became the first Lion to contest two individual events on the world stage.

The Colorado State alumna is slated to compete in the open 400m and relays, events in which she has already made an impact this season. At the World Relays in May, Gale helped Canada qualify for both the women’s and mixed 4x400m events, running on a national record-setting mixed relay team. She owns a season’s best of 51.00 seconds, recorded at the Irena Szewińska Memorial in Poland, and most recently placed sixth at the NACAC Championships in the Bahamas.

Gale also has history in Tokyo, having been part of Canada’s 2020 Olympic team as a 4x400m alternate.

For Trapeau, Tokyo will be her first international outing in Canadian colours. The dual citizen previously represented France at the 2018 World U20 Championships before re-establishing herself in Ottawa.

A graduate of the University of Ottawa, Trapeau relocated to France after her studies to pursue the 800m. This year, she broke the two-minute barrier for the first time with a personal best of 1:59.09 in Toulouse, just shy of the World Championship standard of 1:59.00. Since rejoining the Lions in July, she has captured her first Canadian title. Just two weeks ago in Switzerland, she once again dipped under two minutes, clocking 1:59.86 at the Fribourg International Meeting.

To follow Lauren and Maëliss in Tokyo, you can catch all the action live on CBC Gem. Below is the event schedule (all times Eastern)

  • Mixed 4x400m Relay
    Heats – Friday, Sept. 12, 10:55 p.m.
    Final – Saturday, Sept. 13, 9:20 a.m.
  • Women’s 400m
    Heats – Sunday, Sept. 14, 6:25 a.m.
    Semifinal – Tuesday, Sept. 16, 8:05 a.m.
    Final – Thursday, Sept. 18, 9:24 a.m.
  • Women’s 800m
    Heats – Thursday, Sept. 18, 6:55 a.m.
    Semifinal – Friday, Sept. 19, 7:45 a.m.
    Final – Sunday, Sept. 21, 6:35 a.m.
  • Women’s 4x400m Relay
    Heats – Saturday, Sept. 20, 7:00 a.m.
    Final – Sunday, Sept. 21, 7:40 a.m.
(Montreal, Canada---29 June 2024) Jessica Gyamfi competing in the 2024 Bell Trials Canadian Track and Field Championships and Olympic Trials. Photograph Copyright 2024 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Three Lions Named to Team Canada for World University Games

by InternationallinkinbioUniversity

Three Ottawa Lions athletes will don the maple leaf this summer as members of Team Canada at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany. Doyin Ogunremi, Jessica Gyamfi, and David Moulongou—all students at the University of Ottawa—have been selected to represent Canada in athletics when the Games kick off July 21 in the Rhine-Ruhr region.

Jessica Gyamfi will represent Canada in both the shot put and discus. The third-year nursing student enjoyed the most successful season of her young career, highlighted by a historic bronze medal at the U SPORTS Championships in March. Her throw of 13.32 metres secured a place on the national podium and made her the first woman in Gee-Gees history to medal in a field event at U SPORTS. Gyamfi also captured OUA silver in the shot put and rewrote the school record books with program-best marks in both the shot put (13.85m) and weight throw (15.98m). Her performances earned her Gee-Gee Athlete of the Year honours this season..

Ogunremi, who starred for the Gee-Gees during the indoor season, will compete in the 200 metres and is part of Canada’s 4×100 and 4×400 metre relay pool. A long time relay standout for the Lions, Ogunremi has played a key role on each of the club’s last three national championship-winning 4x400m squads, including the Canadian Club Record performance in 2022. Individually, she posted a personal best of 24.79 seconds in the 200 metres at last summer’s Ontario Senior Championships and was just off the podium at the 2024 OUA Championships with a indoor 300m best of 39.77.

Rounding out the trio is David Moulongou, who will contest the 400 metre hurdles and is also part of the 4x400m relay pool. A seasoned championship performer, Moulongou placed sixth in the 400m hurdles at the 2024 Canadian Olympic Trials and owns a personal best of 52.52 seconds. He’s a two-time defending bronze medalist at the Ontario Championships and won silver in the 400m hurdles and bronze in the 4x400m at the 2022 Canada Games. The World University Games will offer another opportunity for the versatile hurdler to shine on the international stage.

This summer’s selections mark the first time Ottawa Lions athletes will compete at the World University Games since 2019, when Keira Christie-Galloway (100m hurdles) and Farah Abdulkarim (10,000m) represented Canada. In total, 28 Lions athletes have competed at the Games, combining for six medals—highlighted by gold in the 4x400m relay from Michael Robertson in 2013 and Esther Akinsulie in 2009. For Ogunremi, Gyamfi, and Moulongou, their inclusion continues a proud club tradition of excelling on the international stage.

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Double Duty, Double Impact: Gale Helps Canada Book Tickets to Tokyo

by Internationallinkinbio

Lauren Gale showcased her trademark poise and power on the world stage this past weekend, playing a critical role in helping Team Canada qualify two relay squads for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo during the World Athletics Relay Championships in Guangzhou, China.

On Saturday, Gale joined teammates Jasneet Nijjar, Zoe Sherar, and Madeline Price in the heats of the women’s 4×400 metre relay. With a swift 51.38 split on the third leg, Gale helped the team clock a seasonal best 3:27.28, narrowly securing the eighth and final spot in the final. That performance also clinched Canada’s place in Tokyo, as the top two teams from each of the four heats earned automatic qualification for the World Championships, along with the next two fastest times.

Less than 24 hours later, Gale returned to the track for round two of the mixed 4x400m relay alongside Austin Cole, Nathan George, and Sherar. Running second, Gale delivered a blazing 50.56 split to move Canada from fifth to second at the handoff. The team finished third in their heat with a national record time of 3:12.95, surpassing the previous mark of 3:14.66 set at the 2024 World Relays in Nassau. Gale, notably, was the only returning member of that record-setting squad.

The result once again secured Canada’s direct entry to Tokyo, as the top three teams in each heat were awarded automatic qualification spots.

Incredibly, Gale wasn’t done. Just under two hours later, she was back on the track for the women’s 4x400m final, this time running second. After receiving the baton in eighth, Gale pushed hard with a 50.92 split, helping close the gap and setting up Sherar to push past Germany on the final leg to carry Canada to a 7th-place finish.

With both relay squads now officially qualified for Tokyo 2025, Gale’s contributions over the weekend were vital—not just in terms of performance, but in cementing her status as a cornerstone of Canada’s relay ambitions this season.

She’ll now set her sights on earning a place on Canada’s final roster for the World Championships when the Canadian Track and Field Championships return to Ottawa from July 30 to August 3. With the nation’s top athletes converging on the capital, Gale will look to lock in her spot on the team bound for Tokyo.

(Montreal, Canada---30 June 2024) Stephan Balson competing in the 2024 Bell Trials Canadian Track and Field Championships and Olympic Trials. Photograph Copyright 2024 Brian Rouble / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Balson Adds to National Records at CARIFTA Games

by Internationallinkinbio

Ottawa Lions sprinter Stephan Balson made his third appearance for his native St. Kitts and Nevis at the CARIFTA Games this past weekend, competing at the 52nd edition of the championships in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The highlight of his meet came in the U20 4x400m relay, where he helped his home nation establish a new national record—his third at the U20 level this year.

Balson began the competition with a pair of fourth-place finishes in the heats of the U20 400m and 200m. He ran 48.09 in Saturday’s 400m, just missing a spot in the final, and followed with a 21.72 clocking in Sunday’s 200m, facing a -1.0 m/s headwind.

The highlight came in Monday’s 4x400m relay final, where Balson joined teammates Akanye Samuel-Francis, Jaheem Clarke, and Jaylen Bennett to finish seventh overall in 3:16.88—a new national U20 record for St. Kitts and Nevis. The mark adds to Balson’s growing list of national accolades, which includes indoor records in both the 200m and 400m.

His return to the CARIFTA Games followed a standout indoor campaign with the Lions. Balson clocked 47.78 in the 400m—ranking 38th globally among U20 athletes—and added a swift 21.64 over 200m.

Now with three national records and valuable international experience, Balson is poised for a strong transition into the outdoor season.

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Alexis Sets Three World Records at World Masters Indoors; Maguire Medals Again

by InternationallinkinbioMasters

The World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships wrapped up this past weekend, and Ottawa Lions athletes made their presence felt on the global stage—none more so than Wendy Alexis, who celebrated her 70th birthday in unforgettable fashion.

Just two days after entering a new age category, Alexis delivered a jaw-dropping performance in the W65 200 metres preliminary round on last Thursday, clocking 30.68 seconds to set a new World Indoor Record for the W70 age group. Though entered in the W65 category—as age groups are based on the athlete’s age at the start of the championship—Alexis’ performance instantly rewrote the history books.

She wasn’t done.

Later that same day, Alexis dropped under the previous W70 record once again in the semi-finals and then sliced off another 0.35 seconds in the final, crossing the line in 30.33. Despite finishing fourth and narrowly missing a podium spot by just 0.03 seconds, Alexis left no doubt about her world-class speed. Prior to the Championships, the W70 record stood at 31.17 seconds

But Alexis’ crowning moment may have come in the relays, where she anchored Canada’s W65 4x200m team to a World Record. The team finished in 2:07.42, obliterating the previous mark of 2:09.74 and winning by nearly 10 seconds over the United States.

“Didn’t just break it — SMASHED IT! By 2.50 seconds,” Alexis shared via email about the team’s record setting run. “I was the anchor and I’m sure that was the fastest 200 I’ve ever run. I was flying! We all were! This has been a freakin’ amazing meet for me. I felt as if I could run down anybody!”

Alexis also helped Canada to silver in the mixed 4x200m relay, leading off a team that finished in 2:03.14, behind the USA’s 2:01.53.

“Back home tomorrow,” she added. “As exciting as this has been (huge adrenaline rush daily), I’m looking forward to some quieter time.”

Meanwhile, Liz Maguire continued her impressive form, picking up silver in the W55 1500m on Saturday. Her time of 4:59.48 was not only her fastest of the season but also her quickest since 2017. The race was won by Michelle Rohl of the USA, who set a championship record of 4:50.34. The result mirrored last year’s outdoor world championships, where Maguire also finished second behind Rohl.

Several other Ottawa Lions athletes were in action:

  • Michael Conway ran a personal best of 53.40 in the M40 400m, finishing 11th overall.
  • Mike McInerney placed 14th in the M55 1500m with a time of 4:58.10.
  • Lawrence Williams clocked 25.87 in the M50 200m, finishing 19th—just one spot shy of advancing to the semi-finals.

With multiple medals, world records, and season-best performances, the World Masters Championships proved that age is just a number—and the Lions continue to roar on the global stage.

Roy Races to First Provincial Medal

Back in Toronto, the next generation of Ottawa Lions athletes was making strides of their own at the Ontario U14 & Rising Stars Indoor Finale.

In the U14 girls 800m race walk, Penny Roy captured her first provincial medal, earning silver with a time of 5:09.27. The performance marked a significant improvement from her previous best, set earlier this month at the Quebec Indoor Championships, and capped off a strong indoor season for the young athlete.

(Ottawa, Canada---16 August 2023) Wendy Alexis competes in the 200m at Ottawa Summer Twilight Series Meet #11. Copyright 2023 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images.

Alexis Wins Gold, Maguire Adds Bronze at World Masters Indoor Championships

by InternationallinkinbioMasters

When most people hear you’re heading to Florida in March for a track and field meet, they assume you’re chasing an early start to the outdoor season — soaking up the sun and easing into competition. But for seven Ottawa Lions athletes, there’s no easing up. They’ve touched down in the Sunshine State for the World Masters Indoor Championships, and they’ve come to race.

Case in point, just three days into the Championship and Lions athletes have already set the Gainesville track on fire with a pair of medals and another top-8 finish.

Wendy Alexis gave herself an early birthday present on Monday — a world title. Just one day shy of turning 70, the Ottawa Lions sprinter stormed to gold in the W65 60 metres, clocking 8.95 seconds to edge Puerto Rico’s Marie-Lande Mathieu by just 0.07 in a thrilling final. It was her final day of eligibility in the age group, and she made it count — finishing just 0.15 seconds shy of the world record. The retired school teacher now adds another global title to her resume, having won the W65 100 metres at last summer’s outdoor championships.

Liz Maguire also reached the podium Monday, racing to bronze in the W55 800 metres. After winning her heat in 2:44.93 on Sunday, the three-time Canadian masters champion sped to an 2:32.40 in the final — her fastest indoor 800 since 2017 and her quickest overall since 2019. Maguire battled it out from the gun with Australia’s Caroline Fox with the pair never more than a step away from each other all race. The result also marked Maguire’s first global medal at the distance, following a silver in the 1500 meters at last year’s outdoor championships.

In the W40 division, Kimberley Howitt made a couple big steps in her running career. First, Howitt posted a lifetime best of 2:24.67 in the heats to nab the eighth and final qualifying spot. Then in Monday’s final, the 40-year-old ran another personal best in the final, finishing with a time of 2:23.73.

On the men’s side, Gilles Frenette was busy with a double. He placed 14th in the M45 800 metres heats (2:14.22) on Sunday and returned for another 14th-place finish in today’s 3,000 metres, crossing in 10:52.26. Mike McInerney finished 13th in the M55 800 metres, clocking 2:26.35.

The Lions are back in action on Wednesday as Lawrence Williams takes to the track in the M50 200m heats. Action continues through the weekend with the Championships wrapping up Sunday.

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Lions’ Leadership: Guiding Team Canada to Global Success in 2025

by Internationallinkinbio

Congratulations to Ottawa Lions coaches Glenroy Gilbert, Leslie Estwick, Gordon Cavé, and Darrin Reesal on being named to Team Canada positions for the 2025 competition year.

Glenroy Gilbert, Athletics Canada’s Head Coach, will guide Team Canada through a demanding international schedule, culminating with the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan next September. Before that, Gilbert will lead Canada at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, the World Relay Championships in Guangzhou, China, and the NACAC Championships. Gilbert’s steady leadership continues to be instrumental in shaping Canada’s track and field success on the world stage.

Leslie Estwick will serve as head coach at the NACAC Combined Events Championship in the United States. A veteran national team coach, Estwick’s appointment will be her first as a head coach of a national team. Previously, she served as head coach for Team Ontario at the 2022 Canada Games.

Gordon Cavé has been named sprints coach for the Pan Am Junior Games in Asuncion, Paraguay. This U23 competition marks yet another milestone in Cavé’s national team coaching journey, which includes previous assignments at the World Athletics U20 Championships and the NACAC Senior Championships.

Darrin Reesal will bring his expertise in throws to the Pan American U20 Championships  in 2025. This is Reesal’s second national team assignment, further showcasing his growing reputation as one of Canada’s premier throws coaches. His technical knowledge and passion for developing young talent will undoubtedly contribute to Canada’s success at the event.

Congratulations to all four coaches on these prestigious appointments! Your dedication and expertise continue to elevate both the Ottawa Lions and Canada’s presence on the international stage.