Charles Philibert-Thiboutot and Sarah Mitton win gold at Pan Am Games

Four of Canada’s track and field athletes earned medals at the Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile on Thursday, and two of them were gold. Charles Philibert-Thiboutot and Rob Heppenstall both came from behind in the final 50 metres of the men’s 1,500m in a thrilling sprint finish, with Philibert-Thiboutot diving across the line for gold, just ahead of Heppenstall, who claimed silver. World championships silver medallist Sarah Mitton won gold in the women’s shot put. And Julie-Anne Staehli claimed bronze in the 5,000m.

Canadian dominance on display 🇨🇦🥇🥈

CPT & Rob Heppenstall battle it out to the finish line!

Watch extensive live coverage of the 2023 Pan Am Games on https://t.co/KrLgGH3oOB, the CBC Sports app and CBC Gem.

🎥: Michael Cummings/CBC#TeamCanada #PanAmGames #Santiago2023 pic.twitter.com/FJjvEeuWws

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) November 3, 2023

The U.S.’s Casey Comber, who ended up finishing third, was leading as the runners came around the final bend; Philibert-Thiboutot was in fourth position and Heppenstall in fifth as both poured on impressive kicks, Heppenstall moving smoothly to the front while Philibert-Thiboutot had to go wide for clearance. Heppenstall appeared to have clinched the win when Philibert-Thiboutot dove across the line, and the two men waited to see who had won. Philibert-Thiboutot’s winning time was 3:39.74, two hundredths of a second ahead of Heppenstall. Their joy was obvious as the two men embraced after the race. 

Charles Philibert-Thiboutot earns Canada’s first track medal at Pan American Games

It was Philibert-Thiboutot’s second medal of the Games; he won silver in the 5,000m on Tuesday, after Mexico’s Daniel Martinez was disqualified for blocking another runner.

Shortly after the 1,500m, the women took to the track for the 5,000m final, which was won by Joselyn Brea of Venezuela in 16:04.12. Taylor Werner of Team USA took silver in 16:06.48, and Staehli, Canada’s 2022 cross country champion, took bronze in 16:06.75, just over a quarter of a second behind Werner. Canada’s Briana Scott finished seventh.

An excellent performance from Julie-Anne Staehli brings home 🥉 in the 5000m final!

Staehli crossed the line with a time of 16:06.75 at the 2023 Santiago Pan Am Games. Followed by fellow Canadian Briana Scott, who secured a 7th place finish in 16:27.79 👏

📸: Leah Hennel/COC pic.twitter.com/CoPIXG9Mg5

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) November 3, 2023

Gold for Mitton

Mitton threw 19.19m on both her fifth and sixth attempts to claim the top spot on the podium, more than a metre farther than silver medallist Rosa Ramirez of the Dominican Republic.

Sarah Mitton strikes 🥇 in Santiago!

Mitton had her power on full display with her best attempt of 19.19m in the Shot Put final to top the podium 🥇💪

📸: Thomas Skrlj/COC & Leah Hennel/COC #TeamCanada #Santiago2023 #PanAmGames pic.twitter.com/eV6hzyeL72

— Athletics Canada (@AthleticsCanada) November 3, 2023

Canada stands third among nations for overall medals at the Games; these were Canada’s second, third and fourth medals in athletics. Athletics events continue until Saturday evening. For the full schedule and results, click here.