From the Athletics Canada press release, Friday, May 9, 2025 — Canadian athletes shone brightly in the City of Lights last summer. As Athletics Canada announces the recipients of the 2024 Athletics Canada Awards, many remarkable Olympic and Paralympic achievements earned end-of-year honours for several of this year’s winners.
“There were so many memorable moments in 2024 to celebrate. This group of exceptional award winners reflects just how many times Canadian athletics fans witnessed records, medals and historic moments,” said Athletics Canada CEO Mathieu Gentès. “The future is bright, but it’s good to look back on the recent past and honour the people who made 2024 so special.”
“The performances of our athletes over the past year have been remarkable to watch, and we are so happy to celebrate them. Across a diverse range of disciplines, we saw record-breaking results at home and on the international stage,” said Athletics Canada’s Board Chair Helen Manning. “As the 2025 season moves into full gear, we look forward to more exciting moments from Team Canada. Their results are a result of their dedication, talent and an unwavering focus on the goal. We take this opportunity to pay tribute to some of our coaches and officials who play such an important role in Athletic Canada’s continued success.”
Ethan Katzberg has been awarded the Jack W. Davies Trophy for Outstanding Athlete of the Year after making history at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, by becoming Canada’s first-ever Olympic champion in the hammer throw—a groundbreaking gold medal that cemented his status as a global powerhouse.
The Cal D. Bricker Memorial Trophy for Single Outstanding Performance goes to Canada’s Men’s 4x100m Relay Team of Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney and Andre De Grasse, who thrilled fans in Paris (and watching around the world) with a blazing-fast performance that earned them Olympic gold and reaffirmed Canada’s status as a relay powerhouse.
The Phil A. Edwards Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Track Athlete is shared by two stars of the Games: Marco Arop, who captured Olympic bronze in the men’s 800m, showcasing grit and world-class form, and Austin Smeenk, who delivered an exceptional Paralympic campaign with gold and bronze on the Paris track.
Camryn Rogers earns the F.N.A. Rowell Trophy for Outstanding Field Athlete after winning Olympic gold in the women’s hammer throw, making her the first Canadian woman to reach the Olympic podium in the event, let alone becoming Olympic Champion.
Audrey Leduc, recipient of the Dr. Fred Tees Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Canadian University Athlete, carried her university dominance into international competition, racing in both the women’s 100m and 200m, as well as being part of the women’s 4x100m relay in Paris.
Ben Flanagan, winner of the Fred Begley Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Road Athlete, translated his domestic dominance to the Olympic arena with a strong showing in the men’s 10,000m, demonstrating his competitiveness among the world’s best.
Damian Warner earned the Lyle Sanderson Award for Outstanding Combined Events Athlete after winning his eighth Hypomeeting decathlon title.
Canada’s presence in mountain and trail running continued to rise internationally, with Alexandre Ricard and Élisa Morin earning the Mountain & Trail running athlete of the year titles following standout performances of running at altitude.
In youth and development categories, Dianna Proctor (Eric E. Coy Trophy) and Jorai Oppong-Nketiah (Myrtle Cook Trophy) shone in their age classes, representing Canada with distinction in international U20 events and emerging as future Olympic hopefuls.
Paralympians Cody Fournie and Greg Stewart delivered standout performances in Paris, with Fournie winning two gold medals in wheelchair sprints, and Stewart capturing gold in the F46 shot put, earning them the Para Athlete of the Year (Wheelchair and Ambulatory) awards, respectively.
Top coaching honours go to Geoff Harris, recipient of the Dr. Doug Clement Award, for guiding athletes like Cody Fournie and Austin Smeenk to Paralympic hardware, and Jodi Langley, who receives the Jane and Gerry Swan Award for Development Coach of the Year, reflecting her deep impact on emerging national-level talent.
“We focus on the medals and while this is obviously a key goal for everyone at our major championships, it’s important to recognize the process. Geoff and Jody are two coaches who excel at the process,” said John Lofranco, Athletics Canada’s Education and Development Manager, Coaches and Officials. “Their success comes because of the WAY they coach, and the way they connect with athletes. It’s not just Xs and Os, it’s about people for them. It’s important that our sport community understands that this is true of our best coaches at all levels.
Finally, Connie Halbert and Jane Edstrom were both given the Official of the Year Award, recognized for their essential contributions to the success of national and international competitions, including their roles during the Olympic and Paralympic season.
For more details on Athletics Canada Annual Awards, please visit: https://athletics.ca/annual-awards/
