A fresh velodrome constructed close to her residence reignited Olympic track cycling champion Kelsey Mitchell’s passion for the sport. Following her participation in bobsledding 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 unveiled Alberta Velodrome in Edmonton. Situated in the recently inaugurated $153 million Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre, the cycling track is one of only three 250-meter indoor UCI-sanctioned tracks in Canada.
The completion of the Centre National De Cyclisme in Bromont, Quebec, in 2022 marked another milestone in the Canadian cycling infrastructure. Mitchell, who clinched the women’s Olympic sprint gold in Tokyo in 2021, initially ventured into the sport four years earlier through RBC Training Ground without owning a bike. After finishing eighth in Paris in 2024, Mitchell experienced burnout, prompting her to explore speedskating and eventually bobsledding with pilot Melissa Lotholz in Cortina, Italy.
Yearning for a more balanced and supportive environment, Mitchell returned to track cycling, citing the Edmonton velodrome as a pivotal factor in her decision. The proximity of the hardwood track, located just 30 minutes from her home in Sherwood Park, allows her to maintain a healthy work-life balance and reconnect with family and friends.
In her quest to regain peak performance, Mitchell underwent a PRP injection in her left leg post-Winter Olympics to address a lingering power deficiency. She aims to meet the national standard time by August 31 to secure a spot on the Canadian team. Reflecting on her journey, Mitchell expressed gratitude for the local support in Edmonton and emphasized the significance of introducing track cycling to a broader audience through the Coronation Park facility.
With aspirations of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Mitchell could potentially become a four-time Olympian within a span of seven years. Notably, she is among the select few Canadian athletes who have represented the country in both Winter and Summer Games. The integrated Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre, coupled with its accessibility to elite and recreational athletes, symbolizes a promising future for sports development in Canada.