Canada competes beyond expectations

The Canadian track and field team has returned home from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, with a 17-medal haul and an impressive list of performances, including two medals in the middle- and long-distance events.

In total, the team won five gold, two silver and 10 bronze medals in track and field. Kate Van Buskirk won bronze in the women’s 1,500m and Cam Levins, narrowly being out-kicked for gold, won bronze in the men’s 10,000m.

“The team performed above expectations,” said the team’s head coach, Peter Eriksson, in a press release. “I am pleased with the team, their performances and all of the staff. Even though the competition was tougher than what we saw in Delhi, we saw performances at a higher level. This is a young team and they are hungry to do more.”

Canadian 800m runners made a strong showing, with Melissa Bishop qualifying for the final and finishing eighth. On the men’s side, Brandon McBride made an impressive multi-spot Games debut. The young Canadian and US collegiate champion qualified for the semi-finals but was disqualified for a push he made against a competitor during the race.

In addition to Van Buskirk’s bronze, Nicole Sifuentes finished one spot behind in fourth in the women’s 1,500m.

Canadian record-holder Matt Hughes finished fourth in the men’s steeplechase alongside teammate Chris Winter who came sixth.

Mohammed Ahmed completed an impressive double, finishing fifth in the men’s 5,000m with a personal best performance of 13:18.88. He again toed the line with Levins in the 10,000m where he finished sixth.

Representing Canada in the women’s distance events was Jessica O’Connell who was making her international Games debut in the 5,000m. The Calgary runner finished 10th.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games will be held in Gold Coast, Australia. Edmonton has submitted a bid for the 2022 Games.