Canadian track star Andre De Grasse enjoying reception after latest Olympic medal
Global News
The Paris relay medal was Andre De Grasse's seventh, tying him with swimmer Penny Oleksiak as Canada's most decorated summer Olympians.
Andre De Grasse is enjoying the high of being a gold medallist once again.
The 29-year-old from Markham, Ont., capped off an adversity-filled Olympics in August by anchoring Canada’s men’s 4×100-metre relay team to gold, a first for Canada since 1996. De Grasse has been in Toronto the last couple of weeks for the Toronto International Film Festival and several other commitments.
“Just feeling the love,” he said. “Enjoying the ride, enjoying the highs and just having fun in the process. It’s a surreal moment.”
The Paris relay medal was De Grasse’s seventh, tying him with swimmer Penny Oleksiak as Canada’s most decorated summer Olympians.
The City of Markham is honouring him, along with other Olympians and Paralympians who call the city home, with a parade on Sunday. Mayor Frank Scarpitti also proclaimed Aug. 9 to be Andre De Grasse Day.
Picking up medal No. 7, and a second gold, is something De Grasse feels has helped cement his legacy.
“A lot of people, when I came home, weren’t even talking about (all the adversity I faced),” De Grasse said. “They were just talking about how, ‘we were watching you on TV, it was just incredible how you brought it home for Canada.’ We made history.
“Just to get that reception from people, and what was the last thing that crossed their minds and just me being now tied for most decorated in Canada with my good friend Penny. It was just a surreal feeling.
