Ontario track athletes might be developing a reputation internationally after another successful Junior Track World Championship. This is the third year in a row where an Ontario athlete has captured a World Championship title, making it a total of five (5) rainbow jerseys and eight (8) total medals – nine (9) including the Men’s Team Pursuit which included three Ontario athletes.
Ontario has been well represented at Junior Worlds Championships and this year was no different with Nora Linton, Anika Brants, Taylor Tompkins, Cole Dempster, Ethan Powell, Charles Bergeron, and Albert Taylor wearing the maple leaf in Cali, Columbia. All athletes performed exceptionally well and represented both Canada and Ontario proud. Some key highlights include:
- Albert Taylor, Charles Bergeron, and Ethan Powell setting a new Canadian record on their way to collecting a bronze medal
- Ethan Powell capturing the World Championship in the Men’s Points Race
- Cole Dempster clocking a 9.955s flying 200m and winning a bronze in the Men’s Sprint
- Anika Brants placing 4th in the Women’s Scratch Race
The velodrome opened 8 years ago in Milton, and for the current cohort of athletes, there wasn’t a time when they didn’t have access to a world class facility to train and race. This is part of what has contributed to Ontario’s success. However, it is also a reflection of the coaches, clubs and programs helping introduce and develop athletes in the sport of track cycling. Ontario is also fortunate to have a cohesive system in place where coaches recognize we all have a role of play in the development of athletes and work together with other clubs and Ontario Cycling to help build an effective system. This has allowed for the establishment of programs such as the Ontario Track Academy, providing identified athletes enhanced on-track training opportunities and off-bike support through nutrition and strength and conditioning from the Canadian Sport Institute.
On behalf of Ontario Cycling, we want to not only congratulate all the athletes who represented Canada at the Junior World Track Championships but also thank all the coaches, clubs, and volunteers who helped grow track cycling in Ontario.
