Canadian Olympic gold medalist Damian Warner and Gabriela DeBues-Stafford, each of London, Ontario won prestigious athletics medals over the weekend. Warner won the gold medal in men’s decathlon at the Hypo Meeting in Gotzis, Austria for a seventh time on Sunday, while DeBues-Stafford won the bronze medal in the women’s 1500 metres at the Prefontaine Classic, which is part of the Diamond League Series in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday.
Warner posted a score of 8797 points, as season’s best. Lindon Victor of Grenada won the silver medal with 8447 points. Simon Ehammer of Switzerland won the bronze medal with 8337 points. Warner reached the podium by 494 points over Niklas Kaul of Germany, who was in fourth place with 8303 points. Warner finished first in the field in the men’s 100 metres (10.14 seconds) and the men’s 110 metre hurdles (13.48 seconds).
DeBues-Stafford posted a third place time of 3:58.62, and reached the podium by 0.23 seconds over Sinclaire Johnson of the United States, who had a time of 3:58.85. Faith Kipyegon of Kenya won the gold medal with a time of 3:52.59, while Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia won the silver medal with a time of 3:54.21.
Warner won a gold medal for Canada in men’s decathlon at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. The medals for Warner and DeBues-Stafford will give them confidence as they prepare for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
