Former Cardinal Standout Matt Hughes Named to the Canadian Olympic Team
July 11, 2016 | Track & Field
Matt Hughes becomes the second track and field Olympian
On Monday, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Athletics Canada named the 65 athletes nominated to represent Team Canada in athletics at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games from August 5 to 21. Former Cardinal standout Matt Hughes was named to the team to compete in the 3000m steeplechase.Â
The athletes earned their spots at the Canadian Championships and Selection Trials which took place July 7-10 at Foote Field in Edmonton, Alberta.
All athletics competitions will be held at the Olympic Stadium (Engenhão), except for the marathons which will take place in the area of Sambódromo and race walking events in Pontal.
Hughes is the current Canadian record holder in the steeplechase, a record which he set at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics with a time of 8:11.64. Hughes won the men's 3000m steeplechase at the 2015 Pan Am Games for Canada with a time of 8:32.18.
At Louisville, Hughes was the 2011 and 2010 national champion in the 3000m steeplechase. He capped his senior season with a personal best time of 8:24.87 in the event to win his second consecutive national title. The Oshawa, Ontario native crossed the finish line in a stadium-record time and shattered the school mark that he used to win last 2010 national title by nearly 10 seconds. Hughes was the first Cardinal to win back-to-back titles on the men's side.
He joins former Cardinal Wesley Korir who will also compete in Rio next month. Korir will represent Kenya in the marathon.Â
