The 2025 World Indoor Championships will kick off Thursday evening, marking the first global championships of the year. So, what’s in store for track fans? The 14 members of the Canadian squad have arrived in Nanjing, China, poised to take on the world’s best–whether by making a statement debut on the world stage or defending a coveted title.
“Any opportunity you get to compete with some of the best athletes in the world goes a long way in terms of preparing athletes for future Championships,” said Athletics Canada’s head coach Glenroy Gilbert in a press release. “This is a big deal for the team.”
Sarah Mitton to defend world shot put title
The women’s shot put is a must-watch event. Nova Scotia’s Sarah Mitton is no longer the underdog–this time, she’s aiming for back-to-back world indoor titles. She competes Thursday at 7:50 p.m. local time (Friday 7:50 a.m. ET).
Morales Williams within striking distance of 400m gold
At just 20, Vaughan, Ont.’s Christopher Morales Williams boasts a very impressive resume. Making his world indoor debut, the sprinter is a two-time NCAA champion, an Adidas pro and holds an indoor personal best of 44.49–an unofficial world record. Entering the championships with the fifth-fastest qualifying time, Morales Williams has a clear shot at the podium.
Audrey Leduc set to shine in the 60m
One year after making her Team Canada debut, Quebec’s Audrey Leduc is ready to make a statement. She holds a 60m personal best of 7.20 and has since smashed the national 100m and 200m records, reaching the Olympic semi-finals in both events.
While the Canadian record of 7.02 (set in 1999) remains a challenge, the Adidas athlete has proven that nothing is out of reach.
The Stafford–Plourde 1,500m duo
Toronto’s Lucia Stafford and Montreal’s Simone Plourde have been on fire this season. Stafford clocked a mile best of 4:21.71 at the Valentine Invitational in Boston, dipping under the indoor world standard (4:22.50). At the Boston Last Chance meet, Plourde ran to a 1,500m personal best of 4:04.07 en route to a world indoor qualifying time of 4:22.47. Their performances mark the second and third-fastest times (in both the mile and 1,500m) in Canadian history.
Both will have their eyes on a spot in the final–or even on the podium.
How to watch:
The first event of the World Indoor Championships begins Thursday at 10:05 a.m. local time (10:05 p.m. ET). The full schedule can be found here.
CBC will offer a live stream of the competition.
