Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse on his rise in the sport
'I haven’t tested that limit where I can be really, really fast'
By Doug Harrison, CBC Sports
The strategic plan former Olympic 100-metre champion Donovan Bailey outlined in May between Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse and his coaches for him to peak at a major championship appears on track.
In two months, the 21-year-old Markham, Ont., runner has gone from finishing last against veterans Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell at Eugene Diamond League to dipping below 10 seconds for the first time this season to beating Powell, a former world-record holder, at an American Track League event, De Grasse's final race before the Rio Olympics.
De Grasse, who is preparing for his first Summer Games, spoke to CBC Sports about taking up sprinting late in high school, his support group and his expectations in Brazil.
CBC Sports: When was your introduction to competition running?
My first memory of it was in 12th grade and that's when I first started track. My friend told me to come out and support him run and I wanted to race him. I came out [wearing] basketball shorts, basketball shoes and ended up running 10.90 [seconds]. I was discovered by an Olympian from 1984, Tony Sharpe, a bronze medallist in the 4x100 relay, and he took me under his wing.
CBC Sports: As a youngster, you enjoyed playing soccer and basketball. What was it like, from a mental perspective, shifting from team sports to individual?
It was a lot of motivation. In team sports, the guys around you are motivating you to do your best and [telling you] you can't let the team down because you always want to win. In individual sport, it's just me, myself and I and you have to push yourself to new limits. The only encouragement you really have is your coach.
I thought I wouldn't have that competitiveness in track and field, but I guess I kind of grew into it. I love to … just beat people and race against people, so that was going to be my motivation; trying to just outrun everybody.
CBC Sports: You dipped below the 10-second mark for the first time this season with a 9.99 clocking at the recent Canadian Olympic trials. How does it feel to be that fast?
To be honest, I feel like I haven't really accomplished being that fast yet. It feels good to join the sub-10 club with Donovan Bailey and Bruny Surin, but I feel like I haven't tested that limit where I can be really, really fast. You know, being able to break a world record or be the fastest man in the world. That's one of my goals. Once I accomplish that, then I can say that I'm fast.
CBC Sports: Describe what it means to represent Canada on the world stage?
It means everything to me. I was born in Scarborough, Ontario and grew up in [nearby] Markham and I've always been a fan of being a Canadian. To have people look up to me and [the fact] I'm inspiring people to do this sport is a really good feeling.
CBC Sports: How important is it to have the support of your family and coaches?
They've motivated me, kept me grounded and humble to be able to continue to do the best of my ability. Without them, I wouldn't make it this far in the sport because there are a lot of ups and downs. You might not have run as fast as you wanted but they always tell me to stay patient, work hard and the results will show.
CBC Sports: What is your goal at the Rio Olympics?
I think everyone has the same goal: Get on the podium. My most important goal is to be better than I was last year. If it means getting on the podium in the 100 metres or 200 metres and the 4x100, then …