A fresh velodrome in her local area enticed Olympic track cycling champion Kelsey Mitchell back to the sport. Following her participation for Canada in bobsled at the Milan Cortina Games in February, the 32-year-old from Sherwood Park, Alberta, has returned to cycling at the recently opened Alberta Velodrome in Edmonton’s Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre, which cost $153 million and features a 250-meter indoor UCI-sanctioned track—one of three in Canada.
The completion of the Centre National De Cyclisme in Bromont, Quebec, in 2022 marked another milestone. Mitchell, who clinched women’s Olympic sprint gold in Tokyo in 2021, was introduced to the sport four years earlier through RBC Training Ground without even owning a bike. After finishing eighth in Paris in 2024, Mitchell experienced burnout but decided to explore speedskating before transitioning to bobsleigh with pilot Melissa Lotholz, resulting in a 13th place in Cortina, Italy.
Seeking a better balance and environment, Mitchell found solace in returning to track cycling, crediting the Edmonton velodrome for reigniting her passion. The proximity of the hardwood track—where she trains three days a week, just 30 minutes from her home—allows her to stay connected with family and friends in Sherwood Park.
In her quest to join the Canadian team for the upcoming events, Mitchell underwent a PRP injection to address a lingering leg issue and is gearing up to meet the national standard time on August 31. If selected for the 2028 Los Angeles team, she would become a four-time Olympian within seven years, joining a select group of Canadian athletes who have competed in both Winter and Summer Games.
The integration of the Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre with the Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre appeals to Mitchell, who appreciates the mix of elite and recreational athletes frequenting the facility. She views the velodrome as a beacon for promoting track cycling and fostering public interest in the sport, underscoring the growth of sporting infrastructure and opportunities in Canada.