Hold onto your running shoes, London — our city just landed something pretty spectacular. The 2027 Canadian Track & Field Trials and the 2028 Bell Track & Field Trials are officially coming to London, Ontario, turning our hometown into the epicentre of Canadian athletics.

This isn’t just any regular sporting event we’re talking about. These trials are literally where Canada’s Olympic dreams get made or broken. The 2027 Canadian Track & Field Trials will determine which athletes get to represent the maple leaf at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, while the 2028 Bell Track & Field Trials will serve as another crucial stepping stone in the selection process.

Athletics Canada made the announcement official, confirming that London will host these pivotal competitions that serve as the gateway to both Beijing and Los Angeles for Canadian track and field athletes. The road to Olympic glory is going to run straight through our city.

For context, these aren’t just local competitions — they’re the competitions that launch careers and cement legacies. Every sprinter, jumper, thrower, and distance runner with Olympic aspirations will have London, Ontario circled on their calendar. The pressure will be intense, the competition fierce, and the atmosphere absolutely electric.

The announcement comes courtesy of Athletics Canada’s official blog post, which laid out the details of why London was selected to host these prestigious events. The city’s track and field facilities and infrastructure obviously impressed the decision-makers.

What this means for London is pretty huge. We’re talking about bringing in top-tier athletes from across the country, along with coaches, officials, media, and fans. The economic impact alone will be significant, but beyond that, London gets to showcase itself on a national stage as a serious player in Canadian athletics.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect either. With the 2028 Olympics set for Los Angeles, these trials will carry extra weight as athletes push to qualify for what many consider the most prestigious sporting event in the world. Every hundredth of a second, every centimetre, every technique adjustment could be the difference between Olympic glory and watching from home.

London’s track and field community has been building momentum for years, and this announcement validates all that work. From grassroots programs to elite training facilities, the foundation has been laid for exactly this kind of opportunity.