Canada has secured its place on the world stage, qualifying an impressive five relay teams for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing.

Record-Breaking Performance in Botswana

The latest addition to the roster came on Sunday at the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, with the 4x400-metre squad joining four other Canadian teams already guaranteed a spot. Live coverage of the event is available on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.

Mixed 4x400m Team Sets New Standard

The mixed 4x400-metre team delivered a particularly thrilling performance, anchored by Edmonton’s Dianna Proctor. Proctor propelled the team to victory in Round 2 of qualifying, setting a new Canadian record with a time of three minutes and 12.43 seconds.

The race was incredibly close, with Canada initially trailing Belgium and Japan. Proctor strategically positioned herself, staying within striking distance of Camille Laus of Belgium and Nanako Matsumoto of Japan.

In a dramatic final 100 metres, she unleashed a powerful surge, overtaking both competitors to secure the win by a mere three metres. Belgium finished second in 3:12.79, followed closely by Japan in 3:12.86. The winning Canadian team comprised Nathan George, Ella Clayton, Ryder Rattee, and Dianna Proctor.

Building on Past Success

This achievement builds upon last year’s success in Guangzhou, China, where Austin Cole, Lauren Gale, Nathan George, and Zoe Sherar also set a national record of 3:12.95. The World Athletics Relays are proving to be a crucial platform for the future of Canadian track and field.

Additional Qualifications

On Saturday, the men’s, women’s, and mixed 4x100 teams successfully qualified for the 2025 World Championships, alongside the women’s 4x400 team. These teams will now compete in Sunday’s finals.

The 29-member Canadian team includes Olympic champions Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown, Brendon Rodney, and Jerome Blake, who are set to compete in the men's 4x100 final. The team’s success is a testament to the dedication of the athletes, coaches, and support staff.