Canadians to watch at this weekend's indoor world championships

Some of Canada's top track and field athletes will be in Nanjing, China this weekend for the World Athletic Indoor Championships.

That includes eight who were members of Canada's Paris Olympic team last summer, joining more than 500 athletes from about 120 nations competing across 26 events over three days from March 21-23.

In an Athletics Canada news release announcing the team last week, head coach Glenroy Gilbert said world indoors "is a big deal for the team" and their opportunity to "hopefully perform very well as a stepping stone to what they're going to do outdoors." 

For many of the athletes Nanjing will be the first step heading into World Athletic Outdoor Championships in Tokyo, Japan this fall, while also capping off a high-performing indoor season.

Here are six events to keep an eye on this weekend.

Leading Canada's medal prospects for Nanjing is Olympian and reigning World Indoor Champion Sarah Mitton. 

After a disappointing 12th-place performance in Paris, the Canadian record-holder has been making a statement this indoor season with a medal-winning streak in the World Athletics Indoor Tour across Europe and is currently ranked second in the world. 

Mitton, who throws on Friday, is looking to defend her world indoor title this weekend.

"The exciting thing about women's shot is that we're having a moment right now," Mitton said.  "(There's been) some really big throws so early in the season, so I'd say it's an entirely different competition than last year so I'm going to have to be at my best to do that."

Mitton said she also sees Nanjing as a "precursor" for the outdoor season and world championships this fall. 

However, "world indoors right now is about leaving a bit of a legacy behind," writing her name