Olympic Trials: De Grasse, Drouin, Barber and more secure spots

Olympic.ca will be following top stories from the Athletics Canada trials July 7 to 10 in Edmonton, which will determine who will compete for Team Canada in track and field at Rio 2016. The trials are streamed live here


July 9: World medallists hit the stadium


Men’s 100m (final)

Andre De Grasse (centre) after winning the men's 100m at Athletics Canada Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

Andre De Grasse (centre) after winning the men’s 100m at Athletics Canada Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

Against the backdrop of an anxious crowd on a cool evening in Edmonton, Andre De Grasse, the headline act on Day 3 of competition delivered what was expected of him, a sub-10 second 100-metre run and victory.

The world championship bronze medallist ran the men’s 100 metres in 9.99 seconds and won the national title, qualifying for his first Olympic Games.

RELATED: Olympic trials Day 1 | Day 2

Aaron Brown after finishing second at the Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

Aaron Brown after finishing second at the Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

Aaron Brown was second in 10.07 and Akeem Haynes (who ran 10.16 in the semifinals) was third with 10.21. The overall results of the men’s 100m could create a selection headache in the men’s 4x100m relay for Canada, with Haynes and Bolade Ajomale (10.15 in the semis and 10.23 final) throwing themselves in contention by finishing ahead of regulars like Justyn Warner and Gavin Smellie, the latter missing the final.

Women’s 100m (final)

Crystal Emmanuel (centre) after realizing she won the women's 100m at Athletics Canada Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

Crystal Emmanuel (centre) after realizing she won the women’s 100m at Athletics Canada Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

Crystal Emmanuel set the pace in the semifinals at 11.18, followed by Olympian Phylicia George (11.26), and that’s how they finished in the final as well.

The pair ran 11.26 and 11.27 respectively in the final, with Emmanuel edging out the field from lane three. Kimberly Hyacinthe (11.34) was third, while defending champion Khamica Bingham – who had been recovering from an injury – couldn’t find an extra gear and finished fourth in 11.44.

Men’s high jump (final)

Derek Drouin clears the bar during men's high jump at Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

Derek Drouin clears the bar during men’s high jump at Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

World champion Derek Drouin cleared 2.30 metres to win the national title. It was a season’s best for the London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, who is rounding into form in time for Rio.

Mike Mason was second to Drouin in 2.23m, and having met Olympic standard already, should expect to receive his third Olympic nomination.

Men’s pole vault (final)

Shawn Barber clears the bar at Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

Shawn Barber clears the bar in men’s pole vault at Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

World champion Shawn Barber cleared 5.61m in the pole vault on a less-than-ideal cool and windy evening, though his best jump was more than enough to take him to his first Olympic Games.

No other Canadian pole vaulter had met the Olympic standard of 5.70m. Barber is a 6.00m jumper, hitting that mark back in the January and has recently cleared 5.91m this summer.

Men’s steeplechase (final)

With Canadian record holder Matt Hughes absent, an expected three-man race in the steeplechase was down to two, where Taylor Milne (8:36.50) and Chris Winter (8:38.74) finished first and second.

Milne went to the Olympic Games in 2008, then competing in the 1500m in Beijing. Winter will expect to head to his first Olympic Games.

Women’s 400m (final)

An ecstatic Carline Muir after winning the women's 400m at Athletics Canada Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

An ecstatic Carline Muir after winning the women’s 400m at Athletics Canada Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

Carline Muir is heading back to the Olympic Games after clocking 51.79 seconds to win the women’s 400m. The Beijing 2008 Olympian had only the seventh fastest time in qualifiers on Friday, but made it count when it mattered.

Alicia Brown was second in 51.84 to nab the second qualifying spot. Kendra Clarke was third at 52.19 finishing under the Olympic standard, and it’ll be up to Athletics Canada’s national team committee to decide if they will send two or three runners to Rio at this discipline

Women’s 1500m (final)

In a closely contested final, Gabriela Stafford came out the winner in four minutes, and 18.51 seconds, followed by Nicole Sifuentes (4:18.65) and Olympian Hilary Stellingwerff (4:18.99).

Stafford and Sifuentes can stake claim to the top two spots with Olympic standard, while Stellingwerff also makes a compelling case for Athletics Canada to send three runners to Rio in the women’s 1500m.

Men’s 1500m (final)

Charles Philibert-Thiboutot after winning the men's 1500m at Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

Charles Philibert-Thiboutot after winning the men’s 1500m at Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

A conservative (in pace) yet an eventful (in incident) men’s 1500m saw Charles Philibert-Thiboutot win in 3:55.75 and secure his first Olympic spot.

However, the race was slightly marred by a tripped up – as it often happens in middle distance running – Adam Palamar leaving the track from the leading position. Two-time Olympian Nathan Brannen was third behind Justyn Knight, though the silver medal winner doesn’t have Olympic standard. That means the spot behind Philibert-Thiboutot is open for Brannen should Athletics Canada deem it so.

Women’s hammer (final)

The two hammer throwers with Olympic standard finished one-two in Edmonton.

Heather Steacy (69.71m) and Sultana Frizell (69.14m) covered the greatest distance in the field on their best attempts. Steacy returns to the Olympics after debuting at London 2012, while Frizell will be heading to her third Games, after getting started at Beijing 2008.

Update (July 11, 2016): Frizell was not selected for Rio 2016 as it was believed she did not demonstrate “competitive readiness.” 

Women’s shot put (final)

Heading into the final, both Brittany Crew and Taryn Suttie had standard (17.75m) for Rio, according to Athletics Canada. Crew’s throw of 18.06 cleared that once again and was enough to win the national title, while Suttie finished second with a throw of 16.71. Both women are in position to be nominated for their first Olympic Games.

Women’s 800m (semifinals)

Melissa Bishop (right) in the 800m semifinals at Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

Melissa Bishop (right) in the 800m semifinals at Olympic trials on July 9, 2016.

World silver medallist Melissa Bishop ran a comfortable 2:05.08 to qualify for the final.

Fiona Benson set the pace in the semifinals winning her heat in 2:04.29.

Men’s 800m (semifinals)

Anthony Romaniw and Brandon McBride both have Olympic standard (1:46.00) and are in Sunday’s final.