guaranteed he would be the face of the resurgent Canadian track and field team. It also vaulted the Canadian team from 34th in the track and field medal standings in London — where high jumper Derek Drouin won the country’s only medal, a bronze — to 10th. Given the depth of field in athletics, and the Canadian struggles as recently as four years ago, it is an impressive and unprecedented jump forward. Drouin is also the first Canadian to win gold in track and field since sprinter Donovan Bailey at Atlanta in 1996. “We are working close with (Swimming Canada and Athletics Canada) to develop that high-performance plan and a pool of potential podium athletes that delivers more medals.”rlongley@postmedia.com, with files from Postmedia Newstwitter.com/longleysunsport

Source: National Post August 21, 2016 19:52 UTC