Andre De Grasse, pictured on the left, finishes the men’s 4x100m relay final, making history as Canada's most decorated male Olympian with seven career medals. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
In a spectacular turn of events at Stade de France, Canada’s men’s 4x100-metre relay team clinched the Olympic gold medal on Friday, with Andre De Grasse delivering a powerful anchor leg. The Canadian team completed the race in an impressive 37.5 seconds, leaving their competitors in awe.
South Africa secured the silver medal, finishing in 37.57 seconds, while Great Britain took bronze with a time of 37.61 seconds. The United States, a formidable opponent, was disqualified after a mishap during their first baton exchange, a surprising setback that opened the door for Canada’s victory.
The Canadian squad, consisting of Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney, and anchored by De Grasse, improved upon their silver-medal performance from the Tokyo Olympics, ascending to the top of the podium this time around.
"It’s an incredible feeling," De Grasse said, his excitement palpable. "Being out here with these guys, my brothers, is beyond words. We’ve been dreaming about this for years, and to finally make it happen is surreal. I’m deeply grateful."
At 29 years old, De Grasse has now tied with swimmer Penny Oleksiak as Canada’s most decorated Olympian, boasting seven medals in his career—two golds, two silvers, and three bronzes. His leadership in the relay was the crowning achievement in a Games where the team’s collective determination was on full display.
Reflecting on their journey, De Grasse remarked, "We’ve come full circle—bronze in Rio, silver in Tokyo, and now gold. It’s the perfect ending. Winning this with these guys is like the cherry on top, and I couldn’t be happier."
The victory wasn’t without its moments of tension. CBC Sports’ Devin Heroux reported that a protest was lodged against the Canadian team, claiming that Rodney had stepped on the lane line during his run. However, the protest was dismissed due to a rule change that permits a runner to step on the line, provided they don’t do so with consecutive steps.
Aaron Brown, one of De Grasse’s teammates, praised the team’s resilience, saying, "I always knew we’d come together, review our performance, and figure out how to improve. I never doubted that we could do something special when we put our minds to it. Today, we proved that."
The race’s final lane, number 9, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Brendon Rodney noted, "Lane 9 was perfect for us. We didn’t have to worry about anyone in our way, and we could just focus on our run. It all came together beautifully."
Canadian Olympic legend Donovan Bailey, a former 4x100m champion himself, expressed his confidence in De Grasse’s abilities. "I knew Andre would rise to the occasion," Bailey said. "He thrives under pressure, just like I did. It was an amazing performance by all of them."
Despite not qualifying for the individual finals in the 100m or 200m earlier in the week, De Grasse and his teammates remained united and focused. Jerome Blake summed it up best: "We trust each other completely. We know exactly what needs to be done, and we believe in one another. That’s what made the difference."
