(Ottawa, Canada---14 December 2024) Max Gerundin competing at the Candy Cane Relays hosted by the Ottawa Lions at the Dome @ Louis-Riel. Copyright 2024 Miles Ryan / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Gerundin’s Triple Gold Headlines Strong EOSSAA Showing in Brockville

by High Schoollinkinbio

Ottawa Lions athletes made their mark at the EOSSAA Track and Field Championships this past Thursday and Friday in Brockville, with 13 club members advancing to this week’s OFSAA East Regional Championships at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility.

Leading the way was Bishop Smith’s Max Gerundin, who turned in one of the most dominant performances of the meet. The junior boy not only swept the distance events but also etched his name into the EOSSAA record books. Gerundin took a commanding win in the 800 metres, stopping the clock in 1:58.26 to erase the meet record set just last year by fellow Lion Malachi Kenny. Prior to his 800m success, he opened the meet with a runaway victory in the 1500m, crossing the line in 4:15.85—ten seconds clear of the field—before completing the golden treble in the 3000m with a 9:38.39 finish.

A double gold-medal performance came from Opeongo standout Quinn Coughlin. The reigning national U18 champion in the 400m hurdles and current Ontario U20 400m titleholder proved her class in the senior ranks, sweeping the flat and hurdles double. She captured the 400m in 57.70 seconds, nearly three seconds ahead of the next best competitor, and clocked 1:01.35 to win the 400m hurdles—just four-tenths shy of the EOSSAA meet record.

In the novice boys 3000m, it was Oscar Lorrain who claimed gold in 9:58.20, cruising to victory by more than eight seconds. The talented youngster also battled to a silver in the 800m, narrowly edged at the line. One of his main competitors throughout the meet, Glengarry’s Rowan Blaine, earned top honours in the 1500m, winning in 4:39.99.

On the girls’ side, North Dundas’ Evelyn Cooper captured the novice 400m crown, powering to a 1:03.55 finish to take the win.

With strong performances across all event groups and age classes, the Lions contingent now turns its attention to the OFSAA East Regional Championships, which take place this Thursday and Friday back home in Ottawa. There, athletes will aim to secure their spots at the OFSAA Championships in Toronto, set for the first weekend in June.

Full results from the EOSSAA Championships are available on our website.

(Ottawa, Canada---14 May 2025) Zach Jeggo competes at the NCSSAA East Conference Track and Field Championships. Photograph Copyright 2025 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Records Tumble as Lions Shine at NCSSAA Track and Field Championships

by High Schoollinkinbio

The road to OFSAA rolled through the nation’s capital this week, with more than 100 Ottawa Lions athletes booking their place at next week’s East Regionals following standout performances at the NCSSAA Track and Field Championships, held Wednesday and Thursday at Terry Fox Athletic Facility.

The top five in each event earned the right to advance to the OFSAA East Regional Championships, set for May 29–30 back in Ottawa, with the ultimate goal being a berth at the OFSAA Championships in Toronto this June. And for the Lions contingent, the city championships served up no shortage of excellence—complete with record-breaking marks, dominant displays, and a preview of what could be in store for the provincial stage.

Jeggo Repeats with Record Run

Zachary Jeggo led the charge for the Lions, reclaiming his senior boys 400m title in emphatic fashion by breaking his own meet record with a time of 47.50 seconds. Running in cool, rainy conditions, Jeggo surged past teammate Stephan Balson in the final 40 metres to edge the Lisgar standout and reigning East Conference champion, whose 47.49 remains the fastest time this season in the region. Jeggo, last year’s Canadian U18 champion, also cruised to victory in the 400m hurdles in 54.69, finishing more than a second clear of clubmate Kyle London.

London Leaves His Mark

While Jeggo claimed gold, Kyle London impressed with his versatility. The budding combined events athlete—silver medalist in the heptathlon at the Canadian U20 Indoor Championships—qualified for Regionals in all three of his events. He finished fourth in both the 400m (49.95) and shot put (12.73m), in addition to his silver in the 400m hurdles.

McGregor and McMullin Rewrite the Record Books

Two more Lions etched their names into NCSSAA history this week. In the junior girls 800m, Ellie McGregor broke the meet record for the second week in a row. Her time of 2:15.67 narrowly eclipsed the 2013 mark set by former Lion Emma Galbraith. McGregor’s dominance was undeniable, finishing nearly 17 seconds ahead of the field. She also captured gold in the 400m with a swift 58.33 clocking.

In the throwing fields, Mallea McMullin continued her reign as one of the top young talents in the country. The defending Canadian U16 champion launched the javelin 39.44m—just shy of her personal best but enough to surpass Madison McLean’s 2017 meet record of 38.64m. McMullin also secured gold in the discus with a mark of 26.12m, more than three metres ahead of her nearest challenger.

Cova Eyes History

One of the week’s most anticipated races came in the senior boys’ 3000m, where Louis-Riel’s Daniel Cova took aim at a meet record that has stood for over three decades. While he didn’t quite reach Sean Kaley’s 1994 standard of 8:26.15, Cova delivered a commanding win in 8:28.57. A month removed from his 8:20.89 personal best, the Lions distance runner also took gold in the 1500m, outkicking training partner Saul Taler in 4:01.14.

Taler, representing Glebe, added a bronze in the 3000m and edged fellow Lion and schoolmate Russell Heins in a tight 800m duel, 1:57.11 to 1:57.32.

Harris Dominates Novice Division

Grade 9 standout Alexandra Harris swept the novice girls’ distance events in impressive fashion, capturing gold in the 800m (2:26.56) and 1500m (4:59.41) — both personal bests. The John McCrae student narrowly missed her personal best over 3000m, but her winning time of 10:56.50 left her more than 18 seconds clear of her nearest competitor.

Lebel’s Distance Triple

Colonel By’s Laila Lebel also made her presence felt in the junior girls division, earning silver medals in the 800m and 1500m before claiming gold in the 3000m to cap her championship triple.

With the spotlight now shifting to next week’s East Regionals, Lions athletes are one step closer to representing Ottawa on the provincial stage. 

Full results available on our website.
Updated Club rankings available at https://milesrowat.shinyapps.io/ottl_rankings/

(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.

(Ottawa, Canada---23 May 2024) Ange-Mathis Kramo of ESC Paul-Desmarais - Stittsvil races in the 100m at the National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association (NCSSAA) Track and Field Championships. Photograph Copyright 2024 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Champions Rise at NCSSAA West: Records Fall and Future Stars Emerge

by High Schoollinkinbio

The 2025 NCSSAA West Conference Track and Field Championships wrapped up with a flurry of standout performances Wednesday at Terry Fox Athletic Facility, as the athletes  battled for spots at next week’s city finals. Among the more than 70 Lions, a handful stood head and shoulders above the rest—both literally and figuratively.

Kramo Outduels Defending Champion in Sprint Sweep

Ange-Mathis Kramo was untouchable in the senior boys’ sprints, pulling off a rare sweep of the 100, 200, and 400 metres. The Grade 11 student from Paul-Desmarais sent a message in the 100m final, edging past defending champion Will Batley 10.83 to 10.89. Kramo turned up the heat in the 200m, setting a new meet record of 21.61 seconds to Batley’s 22.09. His 400m performance was equally impressive—a personal best of 49.05 seconds that won his heat by nearly seven seconds and placed him fourth on the Lions’ U18 all-time list.

Baetz Blasts Meet Record in Javelin During Throws Triple

Holy Trinity’s Parker Baetz turned the junior boys’ throws into a personal showcase, sweeping the shot put, discus, and javelin with ease. His javelin performance was the highlight—a monstrous 51.12-metre throw that shattered a meet record set back in 2005 by former Lion Ben Engel. That throw currently leads the Ontario rankings. Baetz also cruised to victory in the discus with a 40.68m toss—over six metres ahead of the next closest athlete—and held off a strong challenge from Ty Taylor in the shot put to win 13.61m to 13.36m. 

Gardiner Dominates Jumps in Triple Gold Performance

Roxy Gardiner made the sand fly in her triple-gold performance, sweeping the junior girls’ long jump, triple jump, and high jump. Her most dominant showing came in the triple jump, where she soared 10.97 metres—nearly two metres clear of the field and just two centimetres shy of a 24-year-old meet record. The mark also moves the Grade 10 standout into 10th place on the Ottawa Lions’ all-time U18 list. Gardiner added titles in the long jump (5.07m—the only competitor to surpass five metres) and high jump (1.35m), proving herself one of the most versatile talents on the runway.

Mackay Breaks Hurdles Mark, Leads Holy Trinity Relay Teams

Norah Nitta Mackay’s day was highlighted by a record-breaking run in the junior girls’ 300m hurdles. The Grade 10 student from Holy Trinity crossed the line in 46.06 seconds, besting the previous record of 46.62 set in 2012. She also claimed the 400m title in 1:01.25 and aided her school’s junior girls 4x100m relay to victory. Mackay’s efforts helped Holy Trinity secure second place in the open 4x400m relay, capping a busy and productive meet for the Grade 10 standout.

McGinnity Nearly Breaks 400m Record in Middle Distance Double

Grade 9 standout Declan McGinnity made an immediate impression with wins in both the novice boys’ 400 and 800 metres. Running in a class of his own, the All Saints student nearly erased a 47-year-old meet record in the 400m, stopping the clock at 52.64—just 0.34 seconds off the mark. The time also ranks third all-time among U16 Lions. He returned to dominate the 800m, running away from the field to win by six seconds in 2:13.86.

Next Stop: NCSSAA Championships

With the West Conference Championships in the books, qualified athletes now set their sights on next week’s NCSSAA Championships, where city titles and advancement to the OFSAA East Regionals will be on the line. The road to the OFSAA provincial championships continues to run through Ottawa, and these Lions look ready to roar.

Full results from the West Conference meet are available at: ottawalions.com

(Ottawa, Canada---14 May 2025) Stephan Balson of Lisgar C.I. - Ottawa competes at the NCSSAA East Conference Track and Field Championships. Photograph Copyright 2025 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images. If posting to social media please tag @mundosportimages

Records Fall as Lions Dominate NCSSAA East Championships

by High Schoollinkinbio

Ottawa Lions athletes put on a commanding display at the NCSSAA East Conference Track and Field Championships on Wednesday, combining record-breaking performances with provincial-leading marks. With over 80 Lions finishing among the top eight athletes in their respective event, they earned their place at next week’s NCSSAA Championships at Terry Fox Athletic Facility, and for many of them, qualification was just the beginning.

One of the top performances of the day came from Stephan Balson, who broke a 14-year-old meet record in the senior boys’ 400 metres. The Lisgar Collegiate standout stopped the clock in 47.49 seconds, eclipsing the 2010 mark of 48.98 set by former national U20 team member Devin Bicocchi. Balson also won the 200m in 21.73—just shy of Olympian Oluwasegun Makinde’s record of 21.62—and the 100m in 10.75, narrowly missing both his personal best (10.71) and the 1997 meet record of 10.65.

After missing last year’s high school season after switching schools, Jorai Oppong-Nketiah delivered yet another impressive showing – winning the senior girls’ 100m, clocking 11.96 (+0.2). Jorai’s performance bettered the previous meet record of 12.02 set by Louis-Riel alumna Kayla Vieux in 2019.

In the field, Mallea McMullin launched a meet-record throw of 39.87 metres in the junior girls’ javelin, breaking a 50-year-old record set in 1974 by Cathy Knight (38.08m). McMullin, the defending Canadian U16 girls champion, now owns the farthest throw in Ontario this spring among junior girls—more than four metres ahead of the next-best mark.

Ellie McGregor of Immaculata was in dominant form in the junior girls’ middle distances. She broke the 20-year-old meet record in the 800m with a winning time of 2:13.85, surpassing the previous mark of 2:17.97 held by Lion alum Danelle Woods. McGregor also cruised to victory in the 400m, clocking 59.88 to win by three seconds.

In the novice boys division, Maxime Cazabon sprinted to a meet-record 11.20 (+1.9) in the 100m heats. Though a tight hamstring slowed him in the final, he still managed to take top spot and better the previous record of 11.57 again – crossing in 11.33. Cazabon also advanced in the high jump, clearing 1.60 metres to finish in a tie for second.

Charlie Mortimer picked up the win in the open boys 2000m steeplechase, pulling away from Colonel By’s Owen Siderius to win by nearly five seconds. His time of 6:15.76 not only ranks ninth all-time among U18 Lions but also stood as the third-fastest in Ontario this season as of Wednesday night. Mortimer later added a strong fourth-place finish in the senior boys’ 3000m.

In that 3000m final, Daniel Cova showed the form that made him the OFSAA cross country champion. The Louis-Riel senior dominated the race, pulling away from training partner Saul Taler to win by nearly 20 seconds. Cova will look to end his high school career on a high note before heading to Iona University this fall. Taler, meanwhile, got the better of Cova in their earlier head-to-head, winning a tactical senior boys’ 1500m in 4:11.21 to Cova’s 4:12.69—a modest pace for two of the region’s most accomplished distance runners.

Other notable club performances came from Taisei Tan and Matilda Edwards, who both added to the Lions’ medal haul. Tan claimed victory in the senior boys’ 110m hurdles, clocking 14.49 (+0.5) to move into fifth place on the Club’s all-time U18 rankings. Edwards placed fifth in the open girls’ 2000m steeplechase with a time of 9:14.05, the 10th fastest ever by a U16 Lion. She also showcased her range by winning the novice girls’ triple jump, closing out a strong day across multiple disciplines..

With momentum building and top performances across the board, the Lions head into the NCSSAA Championships next week with eyes on OFSAA qualification—and perhaps more history to be made.

Full results are available on our website.

22WIC_Lauren_Gale

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.

Sultana Frizell celebrates bronze medal in hammer throw at 2015 Pan Am Games. Copyright Miles Ryan Rowat

Frizell to Be Inducted into Perth and District Sports Hall of Fame

by linkinbioLocal

The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club is proud to celebrate another milestone in the remarkable journey of Canadian hammer thrower Sultana Frizell, who will be inducted into the Perth and District Sports Hall of Fame on May 25th. Born and raised in Perth, Ontario, Frizell’s upcoming induction is not only a recognition of her athletic excellence on the world stage, but a celebration of the lasting legacy she has created in the very community where her story began.

Frizell’s path to becoming one of Canada’s most accomplished throwers started at just 14 years old, when she claimed a pair of national titles at the Royal Canadian Legion Championships. From there, her ascent was rapid. She would go on to capture 13 Canadian age-class titles before heading south to the University of Georgia, where she continued her development into a world-class athlete.

A two-time Olympian, Frizell first qualified for the Beijing Games in 2008 after setting the Canadian hammer throw record—a feat she repeated 11 more times over the course of her career. She eventually extended the national mark to 75.73 metres, a distance that stood as a North American record in 2014. That same year, she won her second straight Commonwealth Games gold medal, cementing her place as one of the sport’s elite performers.

In total, Frizell represented Canada internationally 18 times, including appearances at three World Championships and two Pan American Games, where she captured both silver and bronze medals. She also collected seven national senior titles and earned a reputation not only for her strength and skill, but for her generosity, leadership, and spirit.

While her accolades speak volumes, those who know Sultana best will tell you her most lasting impact may be the inspiration she’s offered to generations of Canadian throwers—especially young women pursuing power events. Humble, kind, and always ready with a smile or word of encouragement, Frizell has been a role model both on and off the field.

Her induction into the Perth and District Sports Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to a hometown hero whose roots have remained as strong as her throw. On behalf of the entire Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club, we congratulate Sultana Frizell on this well-earned honour and thank her for all she has done for the sport—and for the community that first launched her remarkable career.

(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.

Terry-Fox-Aerial_1440

Outdoor Season Blooms as Lions Return to the Terry Fox Athletic Facility

by Clublinkinbio

With snow now a memory (hopefully) and temperatures steadily rising, the Ottawa Lions are ready to transition from fluorescent-lit spaces to the open skies of the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. The first outdoor training sessions of the season kick off Monday, April 14, marking not only a return to our home track but the beginning of an exciting spring and summer of athletics.

While the indoor season brought personal bests and podium performances, it’s the outdoor calendar that truly showcases the full spirit and scale of track and field in the capital. Whether you’re chasing an OFSAA berth, sharpening your skills ahead of the national stage, or stepping onto the track for the first time, there’s something for everyone this spring.

It’s Not Too Late to Join the Action

If you’re looking to get involved, registration is still open for all spring and summer programming. From grassroots to high-performance training, the Lions offer programs for athletes of all ages and abilities. Full program details can be found at ottawalions.com/programs, and registration links are available at ottawalions.com/registration.

OFSAA Season on the Horizon

For high school athletes, the Lions will again play a central role in the Road to OFSAA. This year’s competitive lead-up begins with the Carleton Raven Relays on April 24, continues with the two-day uOttawa High School Invitational on May 1–2, and concludes with the marquee National Capital High School Classic on May 8–9.

Athletes hoping to take the next step in their high school season are encouraged to join our OFSAA Prep programs, tailored specifically for both power/speed and endurance athletes:

A Packed Summer Schedule Ahead

The action won’t slow down after the school season. The Lions will launch the outdoor competitive season with the Spring Kick Start Meet on May 10–11, followed by the return of the Twilight Meet Series, now in its 38th year. These weekly Wednesday night meets offer accessible and high-quality competition throughout the summer, with a total of nine meets scheduled to begin June 4.

Capping off the season, Ottawa will welcome the nation’s best when it hosts the 2025 Canadian Track and Field Championships, taking place July 30 to August 3 at the Terry Fox Athletic Facility. It promises to be a showcase of Canadian athletics at its finest, and another moment for local fans and athletes to witness greatness on home soil.

eMRR_0322_web

From Eganville to the Olympics: Bishop-Nriagu to Join Hall of Fame

by Clublinkinbio

The Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club is proud to celebrate one of its most accomplished members, Melissa Bishop-Nriagu, who has been announced as one of five inductees to the Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Canadian record holder and three-time Olympian, Bishop-Nriagu’s induction honours a career defined by excellence, perseverance, and an enduring connection to the communities that helped shape her.

“I’ve always been proud to represent Ontario—from wearing the red singlet at my very first Legion Nationals to competing at the Canada Games. Those moments helped pave the way for my journey to three Olympic Games,” Bishop-Nriagu said following the announcement. “It’s incredibly meaningful to be named to the Hall of Fame alongside so many great individuals, including my former teammate Shawnacy Barber. His legacy continues to inspire, and I’m honoured to be part of this class in his memory.”

Born in Eganville, Ontario, Bishop-Nriagu’s path to the world stage was sparked not on the track, but on the soccer pitch. It was there that a coach recognized her exceptional speed and made a bold prediction. “He saw me running up and down the field and said, ‘You’re going to be an Olympian one day,’” she recalled during an interview in 2017. “And I think that just planted the seed. I had no clue what it took to get there, but I was going. That was the dream.”

Joining the Ottawa Lions in the summer of 2002 at the age of 13, Bishop-Nriagu quickly found herself immersed in a community that nurtured her love of track and field. “Ottawa… it’s where I started my career. It’s where I really found the love for track and field. The Ottawa Lions built that up for me,” she said in 2017. “The club has always been home to me.”

After high school, Bishop-Nriagu competed for one year with the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees before transferring to the University of Windsor, where she would train under legendary coach Dennis Fairall and spend the remainder of her competitive career. Even as she built her life and family in Windsor, she continued to represent the Ottawa Lions with pride—a testament to the bond she maintained with the Lions.

Her competitive résumé ranks among the greatest in Canadian middle-distance history. She is a three-time Olympian (2012, 2016, 2020), highlighted by a fourth-place finish at the 2016 Games in Rio where she set a Canadian record of 1:57.02 in the 800 metres. She would go on to lower that record to 1:57.01 at the Monaco Diamond League in 2017—a mark that still stands. Earlier that same summer, she thrilled a partisan Ottawa crowd at the Canadian Championships, cruising to victory over 800 metres while hundreds of fans from Eganville cheered in matching “Melissa” t-shirts. It was one of four national senior titles she captured during a career that helped redefine Canadian middle-distance running.

In 2015, Bishop-Nriagu captured gold at the Pan American Games in Toronto and made history just weeks later by winning silver at the World Championships in Beijing—the first Canadian woman ever to medal in the 800 metres on the world stage. She also holds the Ottawa Lions club record in the 1500 metres, with a time of 4:04.42 set in 2021.

Her legacy has long been celebrated in Windsor, where she was inducted into the University of Windsor Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. This week, it was announced that she will also be part of the 2025 induction class for the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame.

Through it all, Bishop-Nriagu remained deeply connected to the Ottawa Lions. When she returned to compete at a pair of Twilight Meets in the summer of 2020, her final races in the city, athletes of all ages—some who had only ever seen her on TV—seized every chance for a wave, a brief hello, or a socially distant selfie.

Reflecting on the Club’s role in her journey, Bishop-Nriagu offered a simple but powerful tribute today: “They developed me into the athlete I am and have always been my home club –  representing them on world stages even with Canada across my jersey. So a big heartfelt thank you to the club for continued support from the very beginning to now!”

Details on the Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame induction ceremony are expected to be announced later this year, with the event anticipated to take place in the fall in Toronto. For the Ottawa Lions and the broader Canadian athletics community, Melissa Bishop-Nriagu is more than a champion—she’s a role model, a trailblazer, and now, a Hall of Famer.