Canadian Paris 2024 Olympic hopeful Thomas Fafard of Repentigny, Que., has signed a professional contract with Brooks Running. On Thursday at the 2024 Bell Canadian Olympic Track and Field Trials, Fafard debuted in the Brooks singlet, finishing second in the men’s 5,000m final in 13:18.82.
Fafard broke the news on social media Thursday before the men’s 5,000m final: “I’m proud to announce that I am officially part of the Brooks family,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who has accompanied me on this journey and made this dream possible.”
Fafard’s 5,000m time at Canadian Olympic Trials was the second-fastest time of his career. In May, he set a massive personal best of 13:05.07, missing the Olympic standard by seven one-hundredths of a second. The 25-year-old came into the men’s 5,000m final needing a top-two finish or a fast time to keep his Paris 2024 Olympic dreams alive. Fafard sits 41st of 42 positions in the World Athletics qualification quota for selection. A faster time and high finish at Trials would give his Olympic ambitions more security during the final weekend of qualification.
His training partner and friend, Jean-Simon Desgagnés, came out to pace Fafard and the men’s 5,000m field through 2,000m (five laps) at around 13:10 pace. Fafard took over, and kept the foot on the gas until the Olympic silver medallist and Canadian 5,000m record holder, Moh Ahmed, pushed ahead in the final kilometre. Ahmed held on to win the race in a new championship record of 13:10.98, with Fafard eight seconds back.
“I am happy with my race,” said Fafard. “The goal was to increase my world rankings; 13:18 and second place, I can’t complain.”
Fafard’s second-place finish will give him a little more security, moving up two spots from 41st to 39th in the WA Road to Paris quota. He will need to wait until July 2 to find out whether he will be heading to his first Olympic Games. If he remains in the quota until July 2, he will be named to Team Canada on July 7.
“With everything up in the air right now, I am crossing my fingers and hoping to get the call from Athletics Canada,” said Fafard.
For full results from the 2024 Canadian Track and Field Championships, check here.
The 2024 Bell Canadian Olympic Track and Field Trials are taking place from June 26-30 at the Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard in Montreal. All our action and coverage is brought to you by Canadian Running and New Balance Canada. Follow us on Twitter on Instagram for all things Canadian Olympic Trials and up-to-date exclusive news and content.
