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200m sprinter drops the hammer at nationals producing weekend’s biggest upset

Brendon Rodney made history at the Canadian track championships on Sunday, the final day of action, running sub-20 in the men's 200m.

Brendon Rodney

Day four recap by Jay Smith

A day of incredible performances at the fourth and final day of the Olympic Trials in Edmonton saw Canada’s Olympic team take shape. And it’s one of the strongest track and field squads that Canada has had in decades.

Some victories were not totally unexpected. Windsor, Ont.-based Melissa Bishop handily qualified for Rio in the 800m.

Bishop set for Rio

“I’m going to Rio, guys! I’m really pumped!” she told the audience following her victory. She credited being able to stay healthy and keep to consistent training for her good showing. It was a particularly poignant victory for Bishop as her coach, Dennis Fairall, track and field coach for 29 years at the University of Windsor, was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare an uncommon and degenerative brain disorder. Although he stepped down from the University of Windsor coaching position last fall, he continues to train Bishop.

RELATED: Melissa Bishop sets 800m championship record to book ticket to Rio.

In the finals, Annie Leblanc placed second in 2:03.38 and Calgary’s Jenna Westaway third in 2:03.39. Jessica Smith, the runner in the finals who had made the Olympic qualifying standard, finished fourth in 2:03.77. According to Athletics Canada rules, her trip to Rio will be based on discretion but is unlikely.

After a two-hour rain delay, Canada’s strength in the 200m was apparent. In the women’s race, Crystal Emmanuel edged out Kim Hyacinthe by five one-hundredths of a second, crossing in 22.83. With these performances, both women automatically qualify for the Canadian Olympic team heading to Rio.

Brendon Rodney wins 200m

The major upset, however, was in the men’s race. Brendon Rodney pulled away from the stacked field in the men’s 200m finals, running under 20 seconds and setting a championship record. It unfurled as a dream of race. Clad in all-white he just floated ahead to the lead, his competitors unable to touch him. His time of 19.96 put him well ahead of Aaron Brown (20.32) and Andre De Grasse (20.32), both of whom are likely also to head to Rio.

“Aaron and Andre are great people,” raved Rodney after the race. “Any day could have been their day but today was my day.” His 19.96-performance made him the second Canadian ever to run under 20 seconds in the event. De Grasse at 19.88 is the only other to have done so.

RELATED: One of track’s marquee events, the 100m, didn’t disappoint at nationals.

Clearly buoyed by the victory — who wouldn’t be — he says that in Rio, “I’m just going to go and compete and good things will happen.”

In the 110m hurdles, the two men going in with the Olympic standards, Johnathan Cabral and Sekou Kaba, handily snagged the two automatic qualifying positions, running 13.62 and 13.64.

The Canadian Olympic team continued its tradition of presenting a strong women’s field in the 100m hurdles. The finals had four women with Olympic standards heading off against each other. In that race, Phylicia George edged out Nikita Holder to run 12.88. Holder crossed in 12.94, which also secured her berth to Rio. Angela Whyte, who also holds the Olympic standard, rounded off the podium, in 13:06. (She will likely be announced to the Olympic team tomorrow as well in the discretionary spot.) Chanice Chase, who also held an Olympic standard time, finished sixth. (It was a frustrating meet for her, as she ran third on Friday in the 400m hurdles — her ticket to Rio will depend on an Athletics Canada decision on Monday.)

The national governing body for athletics will announce the final roster for the Rio 2016 Olympic team on Monday.

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