Canadian sprinters secure 3 Olympic relay spots on memorable Saturday night in Nassau

Saturday night in Nassau, Bahamas at the World Athletics Relays turned out to be a memorable night under the bright lights of Thomas A. Robinson Stadium for Canadian sprinters.

With everything to run for – Olympic berths on the line – Canadian track stars met the moment, qualifying three different teams for Paris 2024.

The first breakthrough moment of the night was delivered by the Canadian women's 4x100m relay team.

Not since the 2016 Games had Canada qualified a team in this event, but that all changed on Saturday night.

Sade McCreath, Marie-Éloïse Leclair, Audrey Leduc and Crystal Emmanuel delivered a brilliant race, edging out China for second place and locking up an Olympic spot in a time of 42.98– the top-two teams in each heat on Saturday night earned direct tickets to Paris.

WATCH l McCreath, Leclair, Leduc, Emmanuel punch 4x100-metre Olympic ticket:

Placing in the top-two also advanced teams into Sunday night's finals to compete for prize money and medals.

"I think my heart stopped for a minute and then I just realized, oh my God, we did it. We came together and made it happen," said McCreath.

It was a joyous scene at the finish line as the Canadian women raced to each other to celebrate, jumping in the air and hugging each other.

Just a couple of weeks ago Leduc broke the national 100m record. She delivered the fastest leg of the evening for the Canadians in a time of 10.18. Emmanuel then charged to the finish line to secure the Olympic spot.

"I've been a veteran for a very long time and I just wanted to help get these ladies to the Games," said Emmanuel, who was a member of the 2016 Olympic team.

"We're letting Canada know we have a women's 4x100m relay team going to the Olympics. Very emotional."

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