A former Long Island University track and field star is ready to shine the spotlight on Team Canada in Rio.
Brendon Rodney — the third Blackbird runner to appear in the Olympics — made the squad after a record-setting performance in the national championship on July 10. Rodney is used to the reaction he gets when he tells people he runs for Canada — most are surprised the country even fields a team. But he’s ready to change a few opinions — if people can keep up with him, that is.
“It’s exciting,” Rodney said. “That’s why you train — you train to shock the world and shock yourself. You just enjoy the experience.”
Rodney earned his first Olympic berth after running the race of his life last month. The Blackbirds’ male athlete of the year recorded a 19.96-second finish in the 200-meter dash — becoming the second Canadian athlete ever to break the 20-second barrier in the race.
“I think a lot of it was me being the underdog, and that really fueled me as well,” Rodney said. “All those things are fuel to the fire. I just came out that day and was able to do it.”
Rodney saw his Olympic aspirations realized, but it hasn’t been an easy road to Rio.
He’s always been a star on the track — competing in the 2013 World University Games in Russia and the 2014 Glasgow Games in Scotland — but Rodney needed something to jumpstart his career. He found that spark in Brooklyn.
The Ontario native had heard of Long Island University before he enrolled, and he knew it was the opportunity he was waiting for when he met Blackbirds track and field coach Simon Hodnett. The school was a starting block he launched from, he said.
“It was a chance to compete against all the best runners in Division I,” Rodney said. “You learn a lot from being out here. I’ve learned a lot about myself and how to work hard and go after what I want. Those things kind of set the foundation for me to move on.”
Rodney wrapped up his career this spring as a first-team all-American in the 200-meter and posted third- and fourth-place finishes at the National College Athletic Association indoor and outdoor championships, respectively.
Rodney is the picture of modesty when it comes to his on-track accomplishments. He knows what he’s capable of, but he also knows that plenty of people can run fast. The key is mental preparation before the starting gun even goes off.
“Everyone basically does the same thing in practice,” he said. “It’s just who wants it more, who believes in themselves, and who trust themselves. Mentally, that’s what gets you over the hump and that’s the edge that you need to be one of the best in the world.”
Rodney is doing his best to go into Rio without too many expectations. He wants to run well, but he also knows it will be the biggest challenge he’s faced. After all, when Usain Bolt is also in your race, a gold medal is far from guaranteed.
That hasn’t dampened Rodney’s excitement. He’s already drawn attention to Canadian track and field, and now, he’s ready to have some fun.
“I don’t really feel much pressure,” Rodney said. “I’m just trying to enjoy it and do what I have to do. If I can do that, everything can fall into place.”
