While some fans look ahead to the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship next week, there is plenty for athletes to accomplish at this week's Diamond League Final, especially for four Canadians.
Sprinters Andre De Grasse and Audrey Leduc, along with middle-distance runner Marco Arop and shot put star Sarah Mitton, will compete for a trophy and the $30,000 US top prize in their disciplines on Friday or Saturday in Brussels.
Most participants have qualified by earning points on the Road to the Final, which took place at 14 series meetings across four different continents between April and August.
Forty reigning world and/or Olympic champions will be in action at King Baudouin Stadium for the 50th edition for the Allianz Memorial Van Damme track and field meet.
Mitton, one of three Canadians competing Friday, will try to capture the Diamond League Trophy for a second time in three years in Belgium.
A year ago, she was stripped of the title following a successful protest of her winning throw.
Watch live coverage of the two-day Diamond League Final on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem. Coverage from Brussels begins Friday at 2 p.m. ET, and continues Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Brooklyn, N.S., native's second attempt measured 20.67 metres but, following a review by judges, Mitton was ruled to have stepped out of the throwing circle before the shot hit the ground, thereby making her throw invalid. It also appeared she clipped the front toe board.
Mitton's second-best throw was 19.99, which bumped her to third place in the standings. Friday’s shot put competition begins at 12:30 p.m. ET.
De Grasse clinches Diamond League Final spot, joining fellow Canadians Arop, Mitton
Mitton wins her 1st Diamond League Trophy weeks after Olympic heartbreak
On July 29, the 30-year-old successfully defended her women’s title at the Commonwealth Games, in control from start to finish and delivering a best throw of 19.88 metres.
Nine days later, the Toronto resident threw 20.65 for the win at the Powerfest Throws Meet in Fleetwood, Pa., one centimetre off her season best and three shy of the Canadian record she set in Fleetwood on May 11, 2024.
Mitton defends Commonwealth Games shot put title in Glasgow
Arop placed third a year ago before taking bronze at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
