Posts tagged: World Relays

GABORONE, Botswana — Lauren Gale delivered a standout performance on the world stage Sunday, helping Canada capture bronze in the women’s 4×400-metre relay at the World Athletics Relays.

The Canadian quartet crossed the line in 3:22.66, the fifth-fastest time in national history, behind Norway’s world-leading 3:20.96 and Spain, which finished second.

Running the second leg, Gale once again proved pivotal. After clocking 50.14 in Saturday’s preliminary round, the two-time Olympian returned with a 50.17 split in the final — the fastest of the Canadian squad. She surged to the front early in her leg and controlled the race through much of the backstretch before a late charge from a tightly packed field, including sub-50 efforts from Norway, Great Britain & Northern Ireland, and the Netherlands, shifted the order in the closing metres.

Still, the result marked a significant milestone for both Gale and the Ottawa Lions program.

“It’s a crazy feeling,” Gale said following the race. “I’m very proud to have ‘World medalist’ on my resume now.”

The medal makes Gale just the fourth athlete in club history to reach the podium at a World Athletics Championship, joining a distinguished group that includes Ann Peel, Glenroy Gilbert, and Melissa Bishop-Nriagu.

Canada’s bronze continues a run of success in the event, following another third-place finish at the 2024 World Relays. Sunday’s performance also edges Canada closer to the elusive national record of 3:21.21, set at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

For Gale, Sunday’s result reflects both the progression and potential of the relay program.

“I think we were all healthy and really ready to run fast,” she said of the team’s performance on Sunday. “We had a goal and we wanted it. We have a great team and don’t get to run together super often, so when we do and we perform well, it’s a great feeling.”

Canadian head coach Glenroy Gilbert, who is also Gale’s personal coach, pointed to a noticeable shift in her approach this season.

“She’s running with a bit more hunger and desire to really break out of that sub-51 range and get more consistent in the low 50s,” Gilbert said from Botswana. “You’re seeing somebody who’s finding her way.”

That upward trajectory was evident throughout the weekend. Despite coming off a demanding training block, Gale backed up her preliminary effort with another strong run in the final.

“My confidence is definitely up,” Gale added. “I would have loved to see [my split] drop under 50 seconds, but it’s only May. Hopefully that will come.”

With a world championship medal now secured and momentum on her side, Gale’s performance in Gaborone offers a glimpse of what could be in store as the season progresses, with June’s national championships in Ottawa and the Commonwealth Games in Scotland ahead.

GABORONE, Botswana — Two Ottawa Lions athletes will represent Canada on the global stage this weekend as Zachary Jeggo and Lauren Gale are in Botswana with Team Canada for the World Athletics Relays.

The two-day competition, which begins Saturday, serves as a key qualification meet for both this year’s World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest and the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.

Jeggo enters the championships in the midst of a breakthrough 2026 campaign. The Simon Fraser freshman set a Canadian U20 indoor record of 46.72 seconds over 400 metres earlier this year and followed it up with a seasonal best of 46.97 outdoors two weeks ago at the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California.

Making his senior national team debut, Jeggo is one of men vying for two spots on Canada’s mixed 4×400-metre relay squad. He is joined by Alberta’s Ryder Ratee, who won the Canadian U20 title ahead of Jeggo last summer in Ottawa, and British Columbia’s Nathan George, the 2025 Canadian senior silver medallist.

Gale, meanwhile, returns as a key member of Canada’s women’s 4×400-metre relay pool. The Ottawa Lions standout brief outdoor season already includes a victory in Miami and a seasonal best of 51.24 seconds.

A veteran of multiple global relay teams, Gale competed at last year’s World Relays in Guangzhou, China, where she was a critical member of Canada’s efforts in both the women’s and mixed 4×400-metre events. She helped the mixed relay squad secure World Athletics Championships qualification in the second round and was part of the team that placed seventh in the women’s 4×400-metre final.

That experience has helped shape her role within Canada’s relay program.

“I’ve learned what Team Canada looks for in terms of handoffs, race execution and working as a team,” Gale said when she was named to the team in April. “Relays make it feel more like a team sport, and you learn what works best for the group.”

With several new faces in the relay pool this season, Gale also sees herself stepping into a more prominent role.

“It’s weird to think I’m a veteran now,” she said. “I remember being one of the youngest members on the team… and now I am the veteran, so I think I would like to contribute in any way I can to help the team.”

The stakes in Gaborone extend well beyond podium finishes. The top six teams in the mixed 4×100-metre and mixed 4×400-metre events will secure automatic qualification for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, while 12 teams in each relay discipline will advance to the 2027 World Athletics Championships.

Qualification opportunities will be available across both days of competition. The top teams from each heat will advance to the finals and secure World Championships berths, while additional places remain available through a second-round qualification race.

With global championship berths on the line, the World Relays once again provide a proving ground for the world’s top relay programs, and an opportunity for emerging athletes like Jeggo and established performers like Gale to make their mark.

Schedule (All times EST)
Saturday, May 2
8:30 AM Mixed 4x400m Qualifying Round 1
9:55 AM Women’s 4x400m Qualifying Round 1

Sunday, May 3
8:20 AM Mixed 4x400m World Ch. Qualifying Round 2
8:44 AM Women’s 4x400m World Ch. Qualifying Round 2
10:13 AM Mixed 4x400m FINAL
10:40 AM Women’s 4x400m FINAL

Watch live on CBC Gem

OTTAWA — Two Ottawa Lions athletes will represent Canada on the global stage next month, as Zachary Jeggo and Lauren Gale were named to the national team for the upcoming World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana.

For the veteran Gale, Wednesday’s selection marks her third consecutive selection to the World Relays. In contrast, Jeggo’s appointment represents a breakthrough moment — his first national team selection at any level, and another stepping stone in a remarkable freshman campaign at Simon Fraser University.

“I was really surprised,” Jeggo said via email following the Athletics Canada announcement. “A senior national team wasn’t on my 2026 bingo card, that’s for sure. I called one of my closest buddies first to break the news, and honestly, I just couldn’t believe it.”

The honours continued through the day for the first-year standout, who was recognized later Wednesday as both Male Freshman of the Year and Lorne Davies Male Athlete of the Year for Individual Sport at Simon Fraser, following an exceptional debut season.

Jeggo described the day as “hectic” and “pretty surreal,” after being named to Team Canada and earning multiple major awards at Simon Fraser. He credited his teammates and friends for their support, adding that he was grateful to share the moment with them.

Jeggo’s rise has been one of the most compelling stories of the indoor season. Competing in the 400 metres, the Ottawa native announced himself on the national stage earlier this year with a Canadian U20 indoor record performance of 46.72 seconds at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships — a time that positioned him among the top young quarter-milers in the country.

His progression from club standout to NCAA contributor has been rapid, but representing Canada marks a new level.

“Honestly, it means everything,” Jeggo said of his appointment. “I’m glad to be Canadian and to now represent the country at one of the biggest stages, which really means a lot to me. I always trained with the hope of someday making it, and now it’s about to become a reality.”

Set to compete in a relay environment, Jeggo will make the transition from individual racing to team competition — a dynamic he embraces.

“I think the aspect of having a team is something unique in this sport,” he said. “For once, you aren’t just running for yourself but the other three people on the team. For me, I just want to do my job and get the baton around the oval as quickly as possible to give my teammates and I a shot at winning.”

The World Relays will also serve as a key stepping stone as he builds toward a possible spot on Team Canada at the World U20 Championships later this summer.

“I just want to go out there and compete to the best of my ability and show why I’ve been selected,” Jeggo said of his selection to the mixed 4x400m pool. “Gaining that experience will help me better myself as an athlete and a person as well. Anything can happen over the course of the season, and there is tons of good competition, so hopefully I can keep the ball rolling and make that U20 team.”

While Jeggo prepares for his international debut, Gale returns to familiar territory as one of Canada’s most experienced relay contributors in the 4x400m. The Ottawa Lions veteran has been a consistent presence on national teams since 2021 when she was named to her first Olympic team.

At last year’s event in China, Gale was instrumental in helping both the women’s and mixed 4×400 metre relay squads qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo. 

“Excited and always honoured to represent Canada at a World event,” Gale shared in a recent social media post following the announcement. “Here’s a preview — coming to you soon Botswana.”

With a blend of emerging talent and veteran leadership, the Lions duo will look to make their mark in Gaborone, where strong performances could punch Canada’s ticket to either this year’s World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest or next year’s World Athletics Championships in Beijing.