(Saint-Denis) Unless there is a last-minute change, Audrey Leduc will be the final relay runner in the 4×100 meters, the first round of which will be contested Thursday morning at the Stade de France (5:10 a.m., EDT).
The prestigious role usually falls to the fastest sprinter in a national quartet, but the 25-year-old Quebecer was instead in charge of the third segment as part of the World Athletics Relays in the Bahamas, where Canada secured its spot at the Paris Olympics in early May.
Because of the Canadian team’s relative inexperience – Jacqueline Madogo was injured at the time – the coaches had determined that it was more prudent to position Leduc in the second curve, where she receives and hands off the baton. The first starter and the finisher only have one of these technical moves to perform, which reduces the chance of a miss.
“I hope we’ll finish this with a good relay race,” said Leduc after his elimination in the 200m semi-final on Monday evening.
Fresh off her status as the new Canadian 100m record holder, a mark she improved to 10.95 seconds in the first round in Paris, Leduc had particularly distinguished herself in the Caribbean. She had achieved one of the fastest individual times of all the competitors, both in qualifying and in the final.
“Audrey has grown into this role [de troisième relayeuse] and she did very well, noted her trainer, Fabrice Akué. So it’s hard to move her.”
However, the emergence of Marie-Éloïse Leclair, who should be in charge of the third relay, has changed the parameters. Called to replace Madogo at the last minute in the Bahamas, the 21-year-old sprinter, originally from Candiac and studying in British Columbia, fulfilled her mission with flying colors despite her inexperience. She had then ensured the second portion. “We put her in this role and she does very well,” praised Akué.
Cohesion
In its only pre-Olympic competition, however, the Canadian relay was unable to reach the finish line following a failed final exchange between the two Quebecers at the London Diamond League.
Sadé McCreath, a former Ajax gymnast, will launch from the blocks and hand over to Madogo, from Ottawa, who has been in great shape since her arrival in Paris, where she reached the semi-final of the 200 m. Leclair and Leduc will therefore finish the race.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jacqueline Madogo during her 200m qualifying heat last Sunday
Head coach Glenroy Gilbert and assistant coach Charles Allen are in charge of the Canadian relays. “The decisions will be made based on the training they’ve seen,” Akué explained.
As her protégée arrived earlier than the others in Paris, she missed the last relay sessions at the preparation camp in Spain. “That’s also one of the reasons why Audrey is fourth: she could do less team building training between second and third [relayeuse]. »
This lineup is subject to change. The composition of the relay for a possible final will be re-evaluated after the first round. For now, the notable absentee is Crystal Emmanuel, the only member of the team who took part in the last 4x100m relay at the Games in 2016 (7e). For the moment, she must be content with the role of reserve. Not qualified for the 2023 World Championships, the Canadians finished 10thit is the previous year in Oregon.
Audrey Leduc expects a performance at least equivalent to what they achieved in the Bahamas. “We’re faster and stronger,” she said. “As a team, I think we’re going to be able to accomplish something great.”