Gold medallist has strong ties to hometown London, Ont.
London, Ont.’s latest gold medallist truly has his roots firmly planted in the Forest City.
Using local coaches and facilities, Damian Warner made it to the top of the decathlon world by winning the gold at the Tokyo games.
Eleven years ago he was featured as one of CTV News London’s Athletes of the Week, with aspirations of making it to the world stage and now he has delivered.
“Everybody saw what potential he had and how unbelievable he was,” says one of his coaches, Dave Collins. “Everybody knew that the stars would eventually align and this would happen.”
Coach Gar Leyshon accompanied Damian to the games in Japan, but Collins and Coach Dennis Nielsen stayed behind in London.
“He was a diamond in the rough, but Gar and I knew right off the hop that he was special,” says Nielsen. “He just had that much athleticism.”
Prior to the games in Tokyo, Warner did not have access to the most sophisticated training facilities because during the COVID-19 pandemic he was working out inside the old Farquharson Arena in south London.
“It felt like Rocky IV if you’ve ever seen it -- training in a cold, old hockey arena,” says Collins. “You know the other athletes were training in pristine conditions and here we are trying to put things together to make it work and the community made it work.”
Warner’s long-time business manager Jeff Fischer says after getting gold he expects things to heat up even more.
“You know we have great soccer players and swimmers and hockey players but when it comes down to the basics of run, jump and throw, he is the best in the world and we shouldn’t be ashamed to say that because he is.”
So many elite athletes leave where they grew up to train in hopes of becoming the best. But Warner stayed with the hometown coaches and facilities that lifted him to world class success.
And Nielsen says he’s not done yet, “I don’t think we’ve seen the best yet of Damian Warner, I think when he retires from decathlon he will be revered as the best decathlete the world has ever seen.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.