A recently constructed velodrome in her local area motivated Olympic track cycling champion Kelsey Mitchell to return to the sport. Following her participation in bobsled for Canada at the Milan Cortina Games in February, the 32-year-old athlete from Sherwood Park, Alberta, is back on her bicycle at the new Alberta Velodrome in Edmonton.
The cycling track is situated within the newly opened $153 million Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre, which commenced operations in January. This facility boasts one of only three 250-metre indoor UCI-sanctioned tracks in Canada. The other two tracks are found in Milton, Ontario, constructed for the 2015 Pan American Games and serving as the national team’s primary training center, and the Centre National De Cyclisme in Bromont, Quebec, which was completed in 2022.
Mitchell, who secured the women’s Olympic sprint gold in Tokyo in 2021 despite not owning a bike when she first got involved in the sport four years prior through RBC Training Ground, took a break after finishing eighth in Paris in 2024 due to mental and physical exhaustion. She explored speedskating but ultimately found her leg power more suitable for bobsledding, where she competed alongside pilot Melissa Lotholz from Barrhead, Alberta, placing 13th in the women’s bobsleigh event in Cortina, Italy.
Seeking a better balance and a fresh environment, Mitchell returned to track cycling, crediting the Edmonton velodrome for reigniting her passion for the sport. The proximity of the hardwood track to her home in Sherwood Park allows Mitchell to train three days a week, just a 30-minute drive away. This convenience enables her to stay close to her family and friends, a luxury she missed during her extensive travels over the past seven years.
Mitchell’s return to cycling was not without challenges, as she underwent a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in April to address a lingering issue in her left leg that affected her power output. She is now focused on meeting a national standard time, with plans to attempt qualification on August 31 to secure a spot on the Canadian team. Mitchell’s ultimate goal is to compete in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, potentially making her a four-time Olympian within a seven-year timeframe.
The Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre, which also houses the Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre, appeals to Mitchell due to its inclusive environment that welcomes both elite athletes and recreational participants. She appreciates the facility’s role in introducing track cycling to the public and fostering interest in the sport, highlighting the growth of cycling infrastructure in Canada with the addition of new velodromes.