de GRASSE Andre

General
COMPARISONS WITH BOLT
He shared a smile with Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt as the pair crossed the finish line in first [Bolt] and second [De Grasse] in the semifinals of the 200m event at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Following Bolt's retirement, De Grasse has been tipped as the 'next Usain Bolt' and says he enjoys the pressure the comparison brings. "I just try to be myself. It's a little bit of pressure but I like it. I have fun with it, I like to be up to the hype, live up to that pressure. Usain Bolt is an amazing guy, an amazing runner. It's definitely going to be hard to break 9.58 [in the 100m] and even 19.19 [in the 200m]. For me, I just try to work hard every day, stay motivated, have the confidence and hopefully one day I'll be able to break it." (marca.com, 15 Oct 2018)

HEIGHT
At 176cm tall, he is one of the shorter elite sprinters in the world. He has said that for years people doubted him due to his shorter height. "I had more than a little bit of doubt. I was struggling for a few years. It wasn't going my way. A lot of people see me, see my size, [and] doubt me." (torontosun.com, 14 Oct 2019)

EYE SURGERY
In 2019 he underwent laser eye surgery [LASIK] to correct issues with his eyesight. After the operation he became sponsored by a LASIK clinic. "In a race, every detail counts. That's why I decided to get LASIK. The procedure was quick and painless, so I could get back to my training in no time. Having perfect vision is going to help me become a world and Olympic champion." (Twitter profile, 21 Jun 2019)

LIFESTYLE CHANGES
In 2019 he admitted that early in his career he often stayed out late at night and ate junk food, which he says may have made him more susceptible to injury. "Sometimes I would come home and grab a burger or something on the road at a drive-thru. I had to change. I probably took a lot for granted, and I definitely didn't want to keep getting injured. I had to play a better role [in my health]. I take a lot more things seriously now. I'm not eating out as much or snacking on junk food. I had to sacrifice some things and not be out late so I was ready for the next training day." (cbc.ca, 23 Sep 2019; ca.yahoosports.com, 23 Sep 2019)

BECOMING A FATHER
In 2018 his daughter Yuri was born to partner Nia Ali. "She [Yuri] is always smiling. That's the fun part when you're having a crappy day. It's been a transition. It's been a little difficult, not being used to it, being a first-time father, but it's been fun. It's just a great motivation for me moving forward, for her to see me, she's going to get a chance to watch me at the world championships or the Olympic Games. I'm looking forward to it." (worldathletics.org, 23 Apr 2019; ctvnews.ca, 21 Nov 2018; marca.com, 15 Oct 2018)

FOUNDATION
In 2018 he launched the Andre De Grasse Family Foundation at the same track where he ran his first 100m race in Toronto, ON, Canada. "I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for my education, the resources made available to me and the mentorship and support of my first coach, Tony Sharpe, my mum and countless others along the way. I am very excited to pay it forward." (torontosun.com, 14 Oct 2019; athletics.ca, 31 May 2018)

In 2019 he became the first Canadian sprinter to win world championship medals in both the 100m and the 200m events, when he claimed bronze and silver at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar. (torontosun.com, 14 Oct 2019; SportsDeskOnline, 01 Jan 2020)