Embrun resident Zachary Jeggo has been selected to Team Canada for the 2026 World Athletics Relays in Botswana. (Russell Township)
An Embrun resident is preparing to represent Canada on the international stage after being named to Team Canada for the 2026 World Athletics Relays.
Zachary Jeggo will compete at the event taking place May 2 and 3 in Gaborone, Botswana. He is the youngest athlete selected to the Canadian squad.
The selection marks the first time Jeggo has been named to a Canadian national team, capping off a standout first season at Simon Fraser University, where he competes in track and field.
“It was a big surprise,” Jeggo said after learning of his selection by Athletics Canada. “A senior national team wasn’t something I expected this soon.”
Jeggo specializes in the 400 metres and has quickly emerged as one of Canada’s top young athletes in the event. Earlier this year, he set a new Canadian under-20 indoor record with a time of 46.72 seconds at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships.
That performance helped solidify his place among the country’s rising sprint talents and likely played a role in his selection to the national relay team.
The same day he was named to Team Canada, Jeggo also received major honours from Simon Fraser University. He was recognized as Male Freshman of the Year as well as Lorne Davies Male Athlete of the Year for an individual sport.
Jeggo described the day as both busy and surreal, adding that he was grateful for the support of teammates and friends who helped him reach the milestone.
Representing Canada is a goal Jeggo said he has worked toward for years, and the opportunity to wear the national colours is a significant step in his athletic career.
At the World Relays, Jeggo will shift from individual competition to a team-based format as part of Canada’s relay program. He said the team atmosphere is one of the aspects of the sport he values most.
The World Athletics Relays are considered a major international competition and often serve as an important pathway for athletes aiming to qualify for future world championships and Olympic-level events.
The competition will also provide Jeggo with valuable experience as he works toward a potential berth on Team Canada for the World Under-20 Championships later this summer.
As he prepares for his international debut, support is expected from both his hometown and the wider Canadian track and field community as he represents Embrun and Canada on the world stage.
