Andre De Grasse (born November 10, 1994) is a Canadian sprinter who has become a household name in his home country and a respected competitor on the world stage. He boasts an impressive collection of medals across various competitions, solidifying his position as one of the fastest men alive.Born in Scarborough, Ontario, De Grasse's athletic journey began on the basketball court. However, a chance encounter with sprinting at the age of 15 sparked a passion that would redefine his future.De Grasse's talent blossomed quickly. In 2015, at the young age of 20, he announced his arrival on the national scene in spectacular fashion.
At the NCAA Championships, he stunned audiences with a double gold in the 100m (wind-aided) and 200m, breaking the Canadian record in the latter event. He then secured a bronze medal in the 100m at the World Championships that same year. De Grasse's exceptional talent propelled him to the biggest stage. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, he became the first Canadian athlete to win medals in all three individual sprint events (100m bronze, 200m silver, and 4x100m relay bronze). This remarkable feat cemented his status as a national hero.He secured another 100m bronze and a 4x100m relay silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
A significant milestone arrived in 2022 when he finally ascended to the top of the podium in the 200m at the World Championships, leading the Canadian 4x100m relay team to another gold medal and a new national record.De Grasse is a valuable asset in the 4x100m relay, contributing significantly to Canada's success in the event. He is also known for his philanthropic efforts, having established the Andre De Grasse Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament, which supports his foundation.
Andre De Grasse boasts personal bests in both the 100 meters and 200 meters:
100 meters: 9.89 seconds (achieved with a wind assistance exceeding the legal limit, so not considered an official record)
200 meters: 19.58 seconds (also wind-aided and not an official record)
However, his official personal best times are:
100 meters: 9.90 seconds (achieved at the 2019 World Championships)
200 meters: 19.62 seconds (achieved in the finals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, making him the 8th fastest of all time over 200 meters)
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