Canadian athletes Sarah Mitton and Audrey Leduc navigate complex, shifting schedules to prepare for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Athletes Eye Tokyo Gold Amid Unpredictable Season
As the 2025 World Athletics Championships approach this September in Tokyo, Canadian athletes are fine-tuning their routines—not only on the track, but also on their calendars. For elite performers like shot putter Sarah Mitton and sprinter Audrey Leduc, charting a competitive season means far more than marking competition dates. It’s a calculated blend of training, travel, and timing where flexibility is the only constant.
Strategic Planning Powers Veterans Like Mitton
Two-time world indoor champion Sarah Mitton is no stranger to pressure. With longtime coach Richard Parkinson at the helm, her annual plan is a collaborative blueprint, built around peak performances at major global competitions—especially the World Championships and Diamond League events.
“It’s like assembling a 3,000-piece puzzle without the picture on the box,” Parkinson explained. “We begin right after the last major meet ends. I’m already planning next year’s calendar at the lake in September.”
This forward planning includes arranging training blocks, managing recovery windows, and identifying high-stakes meets that double as income sources. For Mitton, consistency in preparation is key—even when unexpected changes arise.
Rising Stars Like Leduc Learn on the Fly
Meanwhile, 26-year-old Gatineau sprinter Audrey Leduc is adjusting to the fast-paced life of a pro. Recently signed by Adidas, she’s navigating her first full season on the global circuit, with meet invites arriving at the eleventh hour—sometimes days before travel.
One such call came from the Diamond League just before her departure to Europe. “They said, ‘We have a lane,’ and I had to make the call quickly,” Leduc recalled. “You want to say yes, but you also have to ask if your body is ready.”
She emphasizes the balance between ambition and sustainability. Accepting too many invites can lead to burnout, especially with national championships and Tokyo looming. “If I’m mid-training block, I might not perform at my best, and that could cost future invitations,” she said.
Travel and Recovery: An International Hurdle
Canadian athletes also face greater travel demands than many of their European rivals. While most meets offering prize money are based overseas, vital recovery support—like physiotherapy and massage—is left behind in Canada.
Leduc adapts with self-treatment tools like compression boots and cupping sets, but admits it’s far from ideal. Parkinson agrees. “Even when Diamond League meets provide staff, you’re still working with strangers. You don’t always know if the treatment will help or hurt,” he said.
That logistical strain is felt both ways. At the Prefontaine Classic, European competitors voiced surprise at the long haul to Oregon. “We said, ‘Try doing that eight times a year,’” Parkinson noted, highlighting the physical toll Canadian athletes routinely endure.
Adaptability Is the Only Constant
Even the best-laid plans are susceptible to disruption. A recent cancellation of a lucrative meet in Beijing created a significant gap in Mitton’s competition timeline, complicating the path from Zurich to Tokyo.
“I just found out they’ve suspended athlete invites,” Parkinson said. “Now we’re searching for another sanctioned competition to keep Sarah sharp before worlds.”
As both veterans and rookies adjust to fluctuating schedules, one thing is clear: success in modern track and field isn’t just about raw talent—it’s about mastering the art of adaptation.
Looking Ahead to Tokyo
With Canada’s best converging in Ottawa this weekend for national trials, the final pieces of the Tokyo-bound puzzle are falling into place. Both Mitton and Leduc remain focused on the long game—aiming not just to compete in Tokyo, but to shine.
As Parkinson puts it: “In this sport, you have to plan for the peak—and prepare for the pivot.”
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