The last few hundred metres is when race walker Olivia Lundman would normally try for that extra kick, that final push toward the finish line.

But in the biggest race of her life Sunday, April 21, the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Antalya, Turkey, she had to come to a stop with 400 metres left B次元官网网址� to throw up. As her relay teammate yelled from the other side of the fence, Lundman willed herself forward another 40 metres, then threw up again.

B次元官网网址淎fter that I ended up making it to the finish line, but that finish line seemed so far away,B次元官网网址� she said.

Lundman collapsed at the end of the race, having given it all she had. And it was enough. She has qualified to represent Canada this summer in Paris at the Olympic games.

The Lantzville woman, who grew up competing with the Nanaimo Track and Field Club, teamed with her University of British Columbia coach Evan Dunfee to set a Canadian record in the brand-new event of team marathon race walking.

Dunfee started the race, Lundman walked the second leg, then Dunfee again, and then Lundman for the anchor leg. Soreness in her hamstrings made her anchor leg tough, the wrong sports gel upset her stomach, and she pushed herself hard.

After the race, she had to wait nearly half an hour to learn that she and her teammate had qualified for the Olympics. There were 22 spots to be won and they had placed 26th, but countries could only send a limited number of teams. After the calculations were complete, Lundman and Dunfee qualified 21st.

B次元官网网址淚 was a mix of emotions. I was worried that IB次元官网网址檇 cost us the spot in that last kilometre just because I couldnB次元官网网址檛 push it like I normally would,B次元官网网址� Lundman said. B次元官网网址淪o first it was relief that weB次元官网网址檇 still secured the spot and then after that it was definitely happiness and excitement as the reality started to hit.B次元官网网址�

Lundman is CanadaB次元官网网址檚 fastest woman race walker, but qualifying for the Olympics in individual competition wasnB次元官网网址檛 a realistic goal for her in 2024. Once team race walk was announced last summer, however, she knew she had a better chance of making the team than anyone else, as the sport is too technical for an up-and-comer to rise quickly up the ranks.

This past weekend was her first time teaming with Dunfee in an actual race. Looking at the other athletesB次元官网网址� race walk times, the Canadians were pretty sure that they would be competing for one of the final qualifying spots, so they went into the race just trying to give it their best.

Race strategy is different in the relay. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a long enough break for the body to recover somewhat, but not fully. The athletes had an ice bath in between their racing, and ate, stretched and warmed up.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 definitely lots to be learned from it, things weB次元官网网址檙e going to take and work on going forward so that in Paris we can optimize everything,B次元官网网址� Lundman said.

As an Olympian, sheB次元官网网址檒l have more help and support, as she will receive funding over the coming months, and will be doing altitude training in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in June, and acclimatization in Barcelona in July. Then comes Paris in August.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to take a while for me to process it and fully come to the realization that I am an Olympian and IB次元官网网址檓 going to the Olympics B次元官网网址� Words I never really thought IB次元官网网址檇 hear myself utter,B次元官网网址� Lundman said.

It makes her think about the coaches, teammates, family, friends, race organizers, community members and everyone else who has supported and encouraged her.

B次元官网网址淭he emotions have been all over the place lately. It kind of hits in waves,B次元官网网址� she said.

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Lundman looks forward to being part of Team Canada with her former Nanaimo Track and Field Club teammate, hammer thrower Ethan Katzberg, who had previously qualified for the Olympics after winning world and Pan-American championships last year. He set a new Canadian record on Saturday, April 20, with the worldB次元官网网址檚 longest hammer throw in more than 15 years, and Lundman said that puts him up there with the sportB次元官网网址檚 best ever.

B次元官网网址淎s a Nanaimo athlete, I hope all the other athletes in Nanaimo, whether itB次元官网网址檚 part of the track club or the soccer club that I was a part of growing up, or high school, that all of those younger athletes are inspired to chase after their dreams,B次元官网网址� Lundman said. B次元官网网址淏ecause Ethan and I were in their places not even 10 years ago, and we had the same dreams and goals as they did and now here we are, achieving them.B次元官网网址�

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