Veteran Runner Targets Redemption

Canadian distance star Moh Ahmed will line up in both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, aiming to end a six-year medal drought. The 34-year-old from St. Catharines, Ont., has spent the past five weeks recovering from a calf strain suffered at July’s national championships.

Training Through Setbacks

Ahmed pulled up 400 metres from the finish in Ottawa, later diagnosed with a strained left calf. Since then, he has undergone intensive rehab in Oregon, including manual therapy, dry needling, massage, and treadmill sessions designed to reduce impact while maintaining mileage. Coach Jerry Schumacher said Ahmed has returned to hard track workouts and “is rounding into good form.”

Experience Over Races

This will be Ahmed’s seventh world championships, though he enters with limited competition this season. His last completed race was more than a year ago at the Diamond League in Rome. Schumacher remains confident, noting Ahmed’s ability to peak without frequent racing: “He has vast experience at this level, and that gives him confidence.”

Medal Goals in Tokyo

Ahmed’s last world medal came in 2019 when he earned bronze in the 5,000m. He narrowly missed the podium at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing fourth in the 10,000m despite a strong late surge. With Canada fielding one of its deepest track teams ever, Ahmed’s return could provide a major boost to the nation’s medal hopes.

Canadian Marathoner Sidelined

While Ahmed prepares for his double, fellow Canadian Malindi Elmore has withdrawn from the women’s marathon. The 45-year-old from Kelowna, B.C., has been sidelined with posterior tibial tendonitis in her right foot, cutting her training short. Elmore now plans to rebuild fitness for the Valencia Marathon in December.

Looking Ahead

Ahmed is expected to begin coaching with the Niagara Olympic Club after the championships, but he has not indicated any immediate plans to leave track competition. Meanwhile, Natasha Wodak will represent Canada in the women’s marathon in Tokyo. With Ahmed’s comeback and Canada’s strong roster, the championships promise high drama on the track from Sept. 13–21.

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Tournament Starts Without French Contenders

The world championships in Liverpool, England, opened Thursday without five French women boxers after complications surrounding new mandatory sex testing prevented them from competing. The ruling has sparked anger within France’s boxing federation and reignited debate over athlete privacy.

Details of the New Policy

World Boxing announced on May 30 that female athletes must undergo genetic testing — including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or equivalent screenings — to confirm sex at birth. The regulation followed the controversy at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting faced widespread scrutiny over eligibility despite winning gold medals.

Reaction From France

The French federation expressed “astonishment and indignation” at the exclusion, citing that national law prohibits such testing in sports due to privacy protections. Officials said they were assured results would arrive within 24 hours but were not delivered in time to register their boxers.

Athletes Affected

The five sidelined competitors are Romane Moulai, Wassila Lkhadiri, Melissa Bounoua, Sthelyne Grosy, and Maelys Richol. Richol shared a message from former federation leadership candidate Estelle Mossely on Instagram, calling for resignations over the mishandling of the process.

Governing Body’s Position

World Boxing stated that responsibility for completing testing lies with national federations, which it argued are best positioned to oversee athletes. “It is very disappointing for the boxers that some national federations have not been able to complete this process in time,” the organization said in a statement.

Wider Implications and Ongoing Appeal

Khelif, at the centre of last year’s Olympic debate, is also absent from Liverpool after the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected her request for an urgent ruling against the testing mandate. The dispute underscores growing tensions between governing bodies enforcing eligibility rules and federations challenging them on ethical and legal grounds.

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Historic Championship Showdown

Canada’s women’s Para ice hockey team captured silver on Sunday after a decisive 7-1 defeat to the United States in the gold-medal game at the inaugural world championship in Slovakia. Both teams entered the final undefeated, but it was the Americans who dominated when it mattered most.

Scoring Leaders Define the Game

Alanna Mah scored Canada’s lone goal midway through the third period, offering a brief spark of offence. The U.S. was powered by Kelsey DiClaudio, who netted four goals and was later named tournament MVP. Catherine Faherty, Jamie Benassi, and Kaden Herchenroether added goals to seal the American victory.

Turning Point on the Ice

The game was close early, with the U.S. holding just a 1-0 lead after the first period. However, momentum shifted quickly in the second frame. Back-to-back goals from Faherty and Benassi less than a minute apart broke the contest open, sending the U.S. into the final period with a commanding 5-0 edge.

Where the Tournament Took Place

The championship, held in Slovakia, brought together six nations competing in the first-ever Women’s Para Ice Hockey World Championship. Canada advanced to the final after blanking Norway 7-0 in the semifinals, while the U.S. secured its spot with a 10-0 rout of Great Britain.

Why the Result Matters

For Canada, the silver medal marks a significant achievement in a growing sport, even as the loss highlighted the gap with their American rivals. The U.S. conceded just one goal across the entire tournament — Mah’s tally in the final — underscoring its defensive strength and offensive depth.

What Comes Next

Despite the lopsided scoreline, Canada’s performance signals strong progress for the program, which continues to build depth and international experience. With the foundation of a silver-medal run, the team will aim to close the gap on the U.S. in future competitions as women’s Para ice hockey expands on the world stage.

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Sprint Showdown Turns Physical

The U.S. Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, ended in controversy on Sunday when silver medallist Kenny Bednarek shoved 200m champion Noah Lyles just moments after crossing the finish line. The unexpected confrontation has ignited a wider conversation in the athletics world about respect, rivalry, and sportsmanship.

What Sparked the Incident

Lyles, known for his showmanship, had surged past Bednarek in the final 80 metres, sealing victory with a time that secured his spot at the upcoming World Championships. As he crossed the line, Lyles delivered a sideways glare toward Bednarek — a gesture many interpreted as intentional provocation. Moments later, Bednarek responded with a two-handed push, catching both spectators and fellow athletes off guard.

Athlete Reactions and Public Debate

Bednarek later told reporters that he took issue with Lyles’ on-track conduct, calling it a breach of etiquette. Lyles countered by suggesting the push was uncalled for, pointing out that rivalries should be settled through performance, not physicality. Fans and commentators remain split — some see Lyles’ stare as unsportsmanlike, while others argue Bednarek’s reaction crossed a professional line.

The Rivalry Behind the Race

The tension between the two sprinters has been simmering for months. Bednarek, who dominated early-season sprints, has often felt overshadowed by Lyles’ high-energy persona and media attention. Their rivalry has extended beyond the track, with past online rumours and perceived slights adding fuel to the fire.

Why It Matters for the Sport

While the shove drew criticism, it also generated unprecedented attention for U.S. sprinting — trending on social media platforms and landing in mainstream news coverage. For many, the drama has elevated anticipation for future races, particularly with both athletes expected to compete in the men’s 4x100m relay, where teamwork will be essential.

What’s Next

Bednarek has since withdrawn from an upcoming Diamond League meet in Lausanne, Switzerland, avoiding an immediate rematch. However, both are slated to appear at the World Championships in September, where they could meet twice — once in the 200m and again in the relay. With Jamaican star Kishane Thompson and Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo also in the mix, fans are set for an electrifying conclusion to the track season.

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