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Interview: Andre De Grasse was the man of the hour at Canadian championships

Canadian sprint sensation Andre De Grasse chats after winning the men's 100m final at the national championships in Edmonton on July 9 (photo: Dave Holland).

Andre De Grasse
Andre De Grasse
Andre De Grasse with a smile after finishing third in the men’s 200m final at the Athletics Canada trials in Edmonton on July 10. Photo: Dave Holland.

Canadian sprint sensation Andre De Grasse did as expected and won the men’s 100m at the Athletics Canada Olympic trials in Edmonton on July 9. With the win, De Grasse automatically qualified for the Rio Olympics, set to begin Aug. 5. He won in 9.99.

RELATED: Interview: Brendon Rodney after running one of the world’s fastest 200m times.

“I’m 100 per cent healthy now so it’s all about getting my speed back,” De Grasse said post-race. “I’m not used to practicing too much because we’re on the move so much but now I’m in a zone where I’m training all the time.”

Interview after winning the men’s 100m

Note that the footage at the end of the post-finals interview is from the semifinals of the men’s 100m.

De Grasse burst onto the scene last year with double victories at the American collegiate championships (NCAAs) and at the Pan Am Games. He then went on to win two bronze medals (100m and 4x100m relay) at the world championships and signed a multi-year deal with Puma worth millions.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” said De Grasse after being asked about the past two years.

RELATED: Andre De Grasse’s new Pizza Pizza ad is cheesier than the pizza itself.

“I never expected to be in this position making my first Olympic team,” De Grasse went on to admit. “It’s a dream come true and I want to keep the momentum going towards Rio and make myself, and this country, proud.”

The former University of Southern California athlete finished third in the men’s 200m on Sunday afternoon. He was named to the Canadian 200m Olympic team and is also expected to be a huge part of the country’s 4 x 100m relay. Canada has won bronze in the sprint relay at each of the previous world championships (2013 and 2015).

RELATED: Melissa Bishop fights back tears after dedicating 800m win to her long-time coach.

Aaron Brown and Akeem Haynes will join De Grasse on Canada’s men’s 100m squad in Rio.

Watch Canadian Running‘s interviews with other athletes at the national championships below.

Crystal Emmanuel – women’s 200m champion

Brendon Rodney – men’s 200m champion (meet record)

Melissa Bishop – women’s 800m champion

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