London, ON - London native and reigning Olympic champion, Damian Warner, is headed to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics to defend his title in Decathlon.
Warner is a true world champion in both Decathlon and Heptathlon, winning multiple competitions worldwide, including the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, the 2022 World Indoor Championships, and the 2019 Pan American Games.
The Western Mustangs are official supporters of Damian Warner, and Warner's coaches are made up of several Western Mustangs supporting his Olympic journey in Paris. Warner's coaching team is led by Gar Leyson, a former Mustangs Wrestler, and also includes: Vickie Croley, BEd'87 – Head Coach of the Track & Field team, who has also coached Team Canada and across the greater athletics community; Dave Collins – Western Alumnus, former student athlete with the Mustangs Track & Field team, and part of the Mustangs Track & Field program for 17 years; and Dennis Nielsen BA'85, BEd'86 – Western Alumnus and former student athlete on the Mustangs Track & Field team 1982-84.
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Photo Left: Dave Collins; Right: Damian Warner
Warner's journey into the Decathlon and Heptathlon world started back in 2010, coached by the Western Mustangs' very own Track & Field Head Coach, Vickie Croley. Croley's coaching resume boasts an extensive list of accolades, including achievements for Western, Team Canada and across the greater athletics community.
Croley wrapped up her 31st year of coaching at Western this past April, where both the Men's and Women's Mustangs teams finished 1st at the OUA Provincial Championships and 2nd and 4th in the women's and men's categories at the U SPORTS Championships.
The four-time Ontario University Athletics' (OUA) Track & Field Coach of the Year believes her secret to success involves a very individualized approach to each athlete.
"It is important to get to know how they learn best and cater their training to them when possible. For example some are visual learners while some use rhythm better. Also a new athlete may not be ready for the same volume as a more experienced athlete", said Croley.
"My experience coaching in general has helped me be able to help Damian. I don't think my strategy has changed since I have been coaching Damian, which began in the fall of 2010. In 2010 Damian was just learning the sport and the events. And I was much more involved in teaching him the basics of several events along with his other coaches Dave Collins, Gar Leyshon and Dennis Nielsen [Collins is a Mustangs Track & Field coach, and Leyshon and Nielsen are Western alumni]", said Croley.
Warner's athletics career hit the ground running, literally. He went on to finish 2nd in the 2010 Canadian championships for decathlon, and then proceeded to win it back-to-back years in 2011 and 2012. His impressive start and unmatched potential saw him make his first appearance for Canada, where he finished fifth at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England.
As Warner's career continued to grow, he represented Canada again at the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"In 2016, Damian was hoping to win gold and was up against the world record holder (at the time) Ashton Eaton and the current world record holder, Kevin Mayer. Ashton competed well to win gold and Kevin had the meet of his life with 7 out of 10 personal bests and won the silver. Damian won the bronze but was disappointed and had him questioning his future, which included moving to Calgary for two years to train with another coach. I'm glad that Damian tried this, and then made the decision to return to London and make some changes necessary for him to get to the next level. Even with the pandemic, where his training environment didn't seem conducive to accomplishing what he did, we could evaluate what could be improved and worked on together with Damian as a whole coaching staff. I believe it helped him be exceptional in Tokyo", explained Croley.
"Fast forward over the last 3-4 years - Damian is a much more experienced athlete and has a great deal of input into his programming and workouts in some cases. I now just coach him in hurdles and have found that I can still provide the specific workout he will do each week. Our focus on what needs to be improved is discussed now versus when he was just starting. The things he has been able to develop technically over the years have improved to the point where he can focus on things that an elite hurdle specialist can work on. This has been incredibly fun and rewarding to see him develop'', added Croley.
Dave Collins, Western Mustangs pole-vaulting coach, has been a part of the Mustangs Track & Field program for 17 years. When working with Warner, he expressed a similar attitude to Croley. "You listen to what the athlete wants to do and collaborate. It is always exciting to prepare for a major competition, things become more focused and there is different energy at practices", said Collins.
When asked just how special Warner's 3rd Olympic appearance was, Collins and Croley were both proud.
"I am always proud when an athlete achieves a goal whether it be a personal best, making U SPORTS etc., but of course making the Olympics is something special", said Collins.
"I'm incredibly proud to play a part in the success of one of Canada's all time most successful athletes and Olympians. Damian is a very humble, respectful gentleman who I have been able to witness grow up from a shy young man. He is not only a special athlete but a special person. How can anyone involved on his team not be honored", said Croley.
Photo Far Left: Damian Warner; Far Right: Vickie Croley
The Western Mustangs are also proud to be an Official Supporter of Damian Warner and his team, providing facility and coaching support.
Thompson Recreation and Athletic Centre at Western University houses an indoor track and Western Alumni Stadium is home to a new outdoor track and field area - both of which enable Warner to train year-round at our high-quality Western facilities.
"Having access to both the indoor and outdoor tracks have been incredible and 100% necessary for his training success and for the future development of the next generation", said Croley.
"Training indoors around a hockey rink is not ideal but it builds character. The improvements to the outdoor facility make training more enjoyable", said Collins.
Warner's impact on the Western Mustangs Track & Field team is also evident. "Damian has been an incredible role model for our Western athletes." said Croley. "Some of our [Mustangs] decathletes have been privileged to have the opportunity to train with him. Alumni Ryan Evans and Jared Hendricks-Polack have trained with him 2-3 times per week all year as well as other students being able to join his group in the summer. They don't only benefit themselves from being around the Olympic Champion but they help Damian too. Having someone to do hurdles, starts, speed endurance and special endurance workouts with is definitely something that helps everyone involved. They have each other during the tough workouts and hold each other accountable to rest as well as someone to share in what you are doing day to day. It would be a lonely road if Damian didn't have training partners, and I presume it would be difficult to stay motivated".
Warner's dedication and commitment to his craft are clear reasons why he is one of the best in the world. When it comes to goal setting, Warner and his coaching staff have their eyes set on only one thing…bringing home another gold.
"Gold has always been and will always be the goal", said Collins.
Croley believes Warner has it in him to win Olympic Gold again. "I expect him [Warner] to be in a position to be at his best which could result in another Olympic Gold medal and record. He is in the best shape of his life and seems to be in a very good place mentally…I assume it will be competitive, fun, and stressful".
One thing is for certain, it's that all Mustangs are already purple and proud of our London, Ontario hero and defending Olympic gold-medalist, Damian Warner. Watch all the Olympic action for the Men's Decathlon on August 2 and 3, 2024.
Photo of Damian Warner and Family, at Western Alumni Stadium, and child is wearing a Western Mustangs hat
