A fresh velodrome constructed in her neighborhood has reignited the passion of Olympic track cycling champion Kelsey Mitchell for the sport. Following her participation in bobsled for Canada at the Milan Cortina Games in February, the 32-year-old athlete from Sherwood Park, Alberta, has returned to cycling at the newly established Alberta Velodrome in Edmonton.
Unveiled in January, the cycling track is part of the new $153 million Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre, featuring one of only three 250-meter indoor UCI-sanctioned tracks in Canada. The other two tracks include the Milton velodrome in Ontario, which serves as the national team’s training hub and was constructed for the 2015 Pan American Games.
The completion of the Centre National De Cyclisme in Bromont, Quebec, in 2022 marked another milestone in Canada’s cycling infrastructure. Mitchell, who clinched the women’s Olympic sprint gold in Tokyo in 2021, initially entered the sport without even owning a bike, having been scouted through RBC Training Ground four years prior.
Following an eighth-place finish in Paris in 2024, Mitchell experienced mental and physical exhaustion but remained committed to high-performance athletics. Experimenting with speedskating, she eventually found a better fit in bobsleigh due to her leg power. Alongside pilot Melissa Lotholz from Barrhead, Alberta, Mitchell secured the 13th spot in the women’s bobsled event in Cortina, Italy.
Seeking a more balanced environment upon her return to track cycling, Mitchell highlighted the significance of the Edmonton velodrome in providing that equilibrium. The proximity of the hardwood track to her home in Sherwood Park, enabling her to train three times a week, has allowed Mitchell to stay connected with her family and friends, a stark contrast to the intense training regime in Milton.
In her pursuit of a comeback, Mitchell underwent a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in her left leg to address a lingering power issue. With a target to meet the national standard time by August 31 for potential selection to the Canadian team, Mitchell remains determined and appreciative of the local support in Edmonton.
If she secures a spot on the Canadian team heading to Los Angeles in 2028, Mitchell would become a four-time Olympian within a seven-year span, joining a select group of athletes who have represented Canada in both the Winter and Summer Games. The integration of the Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre with the Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre has further enhanced the appeal of the facility, attracting a diverse range of athletes from elite to recreational levels.
Emphasizing the inclusive nature of the facility and its role in introducing track cycling to a wider audience, Mitchell expressed optimism for the future of sports in Canada. The growing infrastructure, including the addition of new velodromes across the country, signifies a positive trajectory for the sport and its accessibility to the public.