Calgary hosts Canada’s young track and field stars

One thousand young track and field athletes compete in the Legion's U16 U18 National Championships At Foothills Athletic Park.

Nearly one thousand athletes from across Canada are in Calgary this weekend for the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships.

They’re competing at Foothills Athletic Park in numerous disciplines.

The Legion has sponsored this event for the last 47 years and it’s often seen as a stepping stone to help athletes move toward their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.

“The Legion has sponsored kids in each of their areas to come and attend this event,” says Kim Cousins, the meet director of the U16 and U18 Youth Legion Nationals for track and field.

“We have kids that are just starting track and field, but we also have athletes that are going on to the international scale ... it’s a really cool opportunity for people to come and explore and demonstrate their amazing passion for track and field.”

This is Canada’s only track and field championships for the under-16 and under-18 categories.

As of Saturday, two athletes from Ontario are taking medals home.

The event is also a chance for competitors to meet teens from all across the country.

“Canada is so big, but they all share the passion for track and field. They share the passion of the Legion, which is like community volunteerism, the possibility of the future and they come here and try to represent their province, but as well as their people, their families. It’s a really awesome experience,” said Cousins.

The Royal Canadian Legion is committed to ensuring the tradition of Remembrance is carried from generation to generation.

The Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands.

In the final months of the Second World War, Canadian forces played a crucial role in freeing the Dutch from Nazi occupation.

More than 7,600 Canadians gave their lives in this effort and are still honoured today in the Netherlands as liberators and heroes.

This year’s Championships will pay tribute to that legacy, with special recognition on the event medals and commemorative elements featured throughout the event.

Calgary has hosted the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships for the past two years, but in 2026 it moves to Regina.

With files from CTV News Calgary’s Darren Wright