A recently constructed velodrome right in her neighborhood lured back Olympic track cycling champion Kelsey Mitchell to the sport. Following her participation in bobsled for Canada at the Milan Cortina Games in February, the 32-year-old from Sherwood Park, Alta., has returned to cycling at the newly opened Alberta Velodrome in Edmonton, located within the new $153-million Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre unveiled in January. This velodrome, one of only three 250-meter indoor UCI-sanctioned tracks in Canada, joins the Milton velodrome in Ont., which serves as the national team’s training facility, and the Centre National De Cyclisme in Bromont, Que., completed in 2022.
Mitchell, who clinched the women’s Olympic sprint gold in Tokyo in 2021, initially entered the sport without even owning a bike four years prior through RBC Training Ground. Following an eighth-place finish in Paris in 2024, Mitchell expressed feeling mentally and physically exhausted. Despite exploring speedskating and bobsleigh with pilot Melissa Lotholz from Barrhead, Alta., placing 13th in women’s bobsled in Cortina, Italy, Mitchell ultimately sought a return to track cycling for a more balanced environment, finding solace in the Edmonton velodrome.
The proximity of the hardwood track in Edmonton, where she trains thrice weekly, just 30 minutes from her home in Sherwood Park, allows Mitchell to maintain close ties with her family and friends, which she values greatly after being away for seven years. After addressing a lingering leg issue post-Winter Olympics through a PRP injection in April, Mitchell aims to meet the national standard time by Aug. 31 to secure a spot on the Canadian team. Her focus remains on regaining her form and potentially competing in the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, which would mark her fourth Olympic appearance.
Mitchell’s enthusiasm for the Alberta Velodrome stems from its dual appeal to both elite athletes and recreational enthusiasts, fostering a vibrant sports community and promoting track cycling to a wider audience. The facility’s presence signifies growth in Canadian sports, with Mitchell highlighting the increased accessibility and interest in the sport due to the expansion of velodrome facilities across the country.