Reed Passmore, representing Manitoba-Northwestern Ontario Command. [Jeremy LeClair]
More than 800 athletes from across Canada put their best foot forward at Regina’s Canada Games Complex for the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships from Aug. 7-9 Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. Bernadette McIntyre’s starting pistol officially opened the event on Friday morning under sunny skies.
“What an exciting opportunity for you to meet other young competitors from across Canada!” she shared in a welcome message. “You will find that you have much in common, including the love of your sport, drive to do your best and pride in representing your province.”
Indeed, athletes brought their A-game to 87 events at the 48th annual championship. Legion-sponsored standouts Gursher Gabri and Maya Piesik, both from British Columbia/Yukon, set Canadian U-18 records for men’s hammer throw and women’s 3,000-metre race walk, respectively. Other high achievers included championship record-setters Tanaz Aulakh-Kahlon and Lea Vorster, who placed first and second in women’s U-18 400-metre hurdles; Jaylah Dennis in U-18 women’s high jump; Chioma Uzozie in U-16 women’s triple jump and pentathlon; Hannah Gregory in U-18 women’s 800-metres; and Reed Passmore in U-18 men’s decathlon.
Hannah Gregory of the Leduc Track and Field Club. [Jeremy LeClair]
Maya Piesik, representing B.C./Yukon Command. Piesik set a Canadian U-18 record in her respective event. [Jeremy LeClair]
The event is the only one of its kind in Canada for the U-16 and U-18 categories, and many alumni have gone on to compete in the Commonwealth, Pan Am and Olympic games. At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, 28 event alumni represented Canada, including Alysha Newman, bronze medalist in pole vault, and hammer throwers Ethan Katzberg and Camryn Rogers, who both nabbed gold medals.
This year, more than 300 of some 800 competing athletes were sponsored by the Legion.
“We believe in what we do,” said Dominion Vice President and Sports Committee Chair Trevor Jenvenne at the championship, which had the added significance of being held during the Legion’s centenary. “And you—our youth—are the next generation who will carry parts of our mission, like remembrance, forward.”
Chioma Uzozie, representing B.C./Yukon Command. [Jeremy LeClair]
Gursher Gabri, representing B.C./Yukon Command. Gabri set a Canadian U-18 record in his respective event. [Jeremy LeClair]
Afghanistan veteran and decorated para-athlete Michael Trauner served as Games Ambassador for a fourth time, sharing his story of resilience with athletes and reminding them of the true importance of the championship.
“Medals come and go,” he said, “but don’t ever forget the journey and struggles it took you to achieve those goals. Don’t forget to be proud of yourselves for your achievements.”
Lea Vorster (second from the left) of B.C./Yukon Command took home silver and beat the previous championship record in women’s U-18 400-metre hurdles. [Jeremy LeClair]
Tanaz Aulakh-Kahlon (centre) won gold in U-18 400-metre hurdles as well as in the women’s U-18 400-metres. [Jeremy LeClair]
Jaylah Dennis placed first in women’s U-18 high jump, with a final jump of 1.84 metres. [Jeremy LeClair]
Bowen Taylor easily nabbed first place in men’s U-16 four-kilogram shot put with a final throw of 17.53 metres. [Jeremy LeClair]
Maxime Cazabon of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club competes in the men’s U-18 high jump. [Jeremy LeClair]
Olivia Nsaliwa of Alberta-Northwest Territories Command won silver in women’s U-18 long jump. [Jeremy LeClair]
Delano Smith of Ontario Command took home gold in men’s U-16 long jump. [Jeremy LeClair]
Lemuel Sraku-Antwi edges ahead of his competitors to take home silver in the men’s U-18 100-metres with a time of 10.55. [Jeremy LeClair]
Competitors take off in the women’s U-16 1,200-metres. [Jeremy LeClair]
Yonis Khalid, Milo Anderson and Ryker Van Orman (left to right) compete in the men’s U-16 2,000-metres. [Jeremy LeClair]
Olivia Froemchen easily wins first place in women’s U-16 three-kilogram hammer throw with a distance of 54.25 metres. [Jeremy LeClair]
Alex Fortney (foreground) ekes out a gold-medal win in the men’s U-18 800-metres with a time of 1:52.11. [Jeremy LeClair]
Milla Dallaire (foreground) and Quinn Lavoie (left) compete in the women’s U-16 1,600-metre sprint medley. [Jeremy LeClair]
Ava Ballek (right) of Alberta-Northwest Territories Command congratulates a competitor. [Jeremy LeClair]
Participants in the men’s U-18 2,000-metre steeplechase. [Jeremy LeClair]
Friendship and camaraderie were paramount throughout the competition. [Jeremy LeClair]
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