Gilbert said De Grasse’s big-game mentality will help him at post-COVID worlds
LANGLEY, B.C. — Glenroy Gilbert is confident Andre De Grasse’s positive COVID-19 won’t derail his performance at next month’s world track and field championships.
Athletics Canada’s head coach said his ability to perform when the stakes are highest will help him.
“Andre is not the kind of guy that needs a lot,” Gilbert said at the Canadian track and field championships on Thursday. “He can compete. We know that. And as long as he’s confident in the work that he’s done to get to Eugene — and he’s run fast on that (Hayward Field) track too, always important to remember that — I think that he’ll be good.”
De Grasse withdrew from the Canadian championships on Monday after testing positive for COVID-19. He traditionally starts the season slowly and an early-season foot injury added to his struggles in his first few races. He finished ninth at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene in May.