In the lead-up to the upcoming World Athletics Ultimate Championship, athletes are gearing up for the Diamond League Final in Brussels. Among them, a trio of Canadian athletes – sprinter Audrey Leduc, middle-distance runner Marco Arop, and shot put star Sarah Mitton – are aiming for victory and a coveted $30,000 top prize in their respective events on Friday.

Teammate Andre De Grasse, initially set to compete in the men’s 200 meters, withdrew due to a personal commitment, focusing instead on the Ultimate Championship. Athletes have earned their spots in the Final by accumulating points in the Road to the Final series held across multiple continents from April to August.

The 50th edition of the Allianz Memorial Van Damme meet will feature 40 reigning world and/or Olympic champions at the King Baudouin Stadium. Mitton, a key contender, seeks to reclaim the Diamond League Trophy she won two years ago. Last year, she was stripped of the title due to a technicality in her winning throw.

Arop, who secured a third-place finish at the Diamond League Final last year and went on to win a bronze at the World Athletics Championships, is prepared for this year’s Final. Leduc, making her first Final appearance, qualified for the women’s 200 meters with a strong performance in Rabat.

The Diamond League Final promises high-stakes competition with top athletes vying for victory. A win in Brussels secures a spot in the prestigious World Athletics Ultimate Championship, offering a substantial prize purse. Notably, reigning champions and standout athletes from around the world will showcase their talent in various disciplines.

Unfortunately, the men’s one-hour race, featuring Jimmy Gressier’s world record attempt, was canceled due to an injury. Canadian athlete Rory Linkletter, focusing on the World Athletics Road Running Championships, will miss the Final. The event in Brussels is set to be a thrilling showcase of elite track and field talent.