United States' Noah Lyles and Canada's Andre De Grasse race in a men's 200 meters heat at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
April 26, 2026 - 9:58 AM
GABORONE — Canadian star sprinter Andre De Grasse showed no signs of slowing down in his season opener on Sunday at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix.
The seven-time Olympic medallist won the men's 200 metres in 19.84 seconds, easily taking first, with Toronto's Aaron Brown placing second in 20.07 seconds. The time was De Grasse's fastest in the distance since his season-concluding 19.76 second-effort in 2023.
In the 100, the 31-year-old De Grasse finished second, narrowly edging Kenya's Ferdinand Ominyala (9.95). It was De Grasse's fastest time in the event since he won Olympic bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where he ran a personal best of 9.89 seconds.
"Nice way to open up the season running some strong times," De Grasse said. "But for now, I'm focused on the World Relays and teaming up with the guys next weekend and representing Canada."
Jerome Blake, from Kelowna, B.C., set a new personal best in winning the 100 with a time of 9.93 seconds.
In the women's 100, Canadian Audrey Leduc took third in 11.10 seconds.
The Gatineau, Que., native placed behind Americans Gabby Thomas (10.95) and Cambrea Sturgis (11.07).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 26, 2026.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2026