As fans gear up for the upcoming World Athletics Ultimate Championship next week, this week’s Diamond League Final in Brussels offers a significant platform for athletes, including four Canadians. Sprinters Andre De Grasse and Audrey Leduc, middle-distance runner Marco Arop, and shot put star Sarah Mitton will vie for victory and the top prize of $30,000 US in their respective events on Friday and Saturday. These athletes have secured their spots through the Road to the Final, where they accumulated points across 14 series meetings held on four continents from April to August.
The 50th edition of the Allianz Memorial Van Damme track and field meet will witness the participation of 40 reigning world and/or Olympic champions at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Mitton, one of the three Canadians competing on Friday, aims to clinch her second Diamond League Trophy in Belgium after being stripped of the title last year following a technicality in her winning throw.
Live coverage of the Diamond League Final can be viewed on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem. The event kicks off on Friday at 2 p.m. ET and continues on Saturday at 2 p.m.
During her second attempt, Mitton’s throw measured 20.67 meters, but a review by judges revealed that she had stepped out of the throwing circle before the shot landed, rendering the throw invalid. Her subsequent best throw of 19.99 meters secured her third place in the standings. The shot put competition on Friday is scheduled to commence at 12:30 p.m. ET.
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De Grasse secures spot in Diamond League Final alongside Arop and Mitton
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Mitton claims her first Diamond League Trophy after Olympic setback
At the Commonwealth Games on July 29, Mitton successfully defended her women’s shot put title, achieving a best throw of 19.88 meters. Just nine days later, she secured victory at the Powerfest Throws Meet in Fleetwood, Pa., with a throw of 20.65 meters, close to her season best and three meters shy of the Canadian record she set in Fleetwood on May 11, 2024.
