Olympic champion Damian Warner seeks elusive gold medal at indoor athletics worlds

Damian Warner has had plenty to celebrate the past 12 months, from a record sixth title at decathlon's Hypo Meeting, setting Olympic and Canadian records in winning his first gold medal, and most recently, his son Theo's first birthday.

Last Friday, Warner ate cake and helped Theo open presents in front of family in London, Ont., before flying to Serbia, where he will attempt to win his first heptathlon gold medal in three trips to the World Athletics indoor championships this weekend in Belgrade.

"Life seems like it's going faster," he said. "When I go away now it's obviously more difficult because you have to say goodbye and might be gone a week or two, but when you come back it makes it that much more special when you can share certain moments and see the smile on his face."

Being a dad has been the "most special thing" to Warner and brought a new perspective on life for the 32-year-old and his longtime partner, Jen Cotton, a former national team hurdler.

"A lot of the way I try to carry myself is how I will be viewed through my son's eyes and I just try to be the best role model I can," he said.

Warner previously took things hard if he didn't get the desired results in practice or competition, carrying the frustration until he found an answer. While he's still demanding of himself, he tries not take his work home.

"Now, if something goes wrong or well at the track and Theo runs to the front door and wants to be picked up or give me a hug, all of that stuff doesn't matter," Warner told CBC Sports. "It's kind of like a reset button and exactly what I needed in my life.

"Track is really important to me and it's something I love, but it's not the be-all and end-all."

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