4-time world championship medallist and reigning Olympic champion Damian Warner has been chosen to his fourth Olympic Video games. In Paris subsequent month, the 34-year-old says he has no plans of slowing down; he goals to defend his decathlon title, and to do it in fashion.
After profitable gold in entrance of an empty stadium in Tokyo because of COVID-19 restrictions, what excites Warner probably the most about Paris 2024 is the unbelievable ambiance he missed out on throughout his victory in 2021. “Pondering again to my wonderful experiences on the Olympics, it’s in 2012, strolling right into a stadium stuffed with 80,000 folks,” Warner says. “You simply can’t replicate that ambiance wherever else.”
The London, Ont., native nonetheless placed on a present on the 2021 Video games for the web spectators, profitable with an Olympic document of 9,018 factors and changing into solely the fourth decathlete in historical past to attain over 9,000. He has his sights set on the highest of the rostrum as soon as once more, to convey residence Olympic gold for Canada.
Regardless of his lengthy listing of accomplishments, Warner says he isn’t able to name it quits. He has by no means received a world decathlon title, and the 4 World Championship medals he has earned haven’t left him glad. (On the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Ore., he was main on Day 1 of competitors however suffered an harm and was compelled to withdraw. Warner says he’s nonetheless decided to convey residence a gold medal from the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. Earlier than he hangs up his 5 pairs of spikes (that’s what number of completely different pairs of footwear required for the ten decathlon occasions), Warner additionally aspires to interrupt Kevin Mayer’s decathlon world document of 9,126 factors.
“The factor that will make me happiest is strolling away by myself phrases,” Warner says. “Plenty of athletes finish their careers due to an harm, or as a result of they aren’t completely satisfied. This sport has given me a lot; all of the folks which are vital to me in my life have come from sport, and I’d love to have the ability to return to the Video games to look at as a spectator.”
When leaving his mark on Canadian monitor and area, the Olympic champion want to be recognized for being himself, competing arduous, representing his group as greatest he can and respecting others. “Inspiring others to pursue their desires can be an enormous constructive,” Warner says. Rising up watching athletes like sprinter Donovan Bailey compete, Warner understands the numerous impression that he might have on the subsequent era. “If they’ve one thing to attain sooner or later, something is feasible.”
Warner just isn’t taking his fourth Olympics calmly, and he’s simply as excited and decided as he was the primary time round for London 2012. Surrounded by containers of Lululemon gear (Warner’s sponsor and the official clothing store of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic groups), he says it appears like Christmas morning. “Once you see all of your Crew Canada gear, there’s a second of pleasure. And I believe it’s effectively deserved, as a result of the journey to get there’s not simple.”
For aspiring Olympians, Warner passes on the identical phrases his mother informed him: you are able to do something you set your thoughts to. For first-timers headed to Paris, he says, “You belong there. Perceive that you’ve got labored arduous for this, your coaches have labored arduous for this and also you should go on the market and characterize your nation proudly.” At his first Video games, it took him till the tip to appreciate that he slot in, competed effectively, and might be proud, irrespective of the end result.
Even after competing at three Olympic Video games, Warner may be very a lot wanting ahead to his fourth. “It nonetheless hasn’t gotten previous,” he says. “I can’t wait to compete my hardest.”