A brand-new velodrome constructed in her vicinity has reignited the passion of Olympic track cycling champion Kelsey Mitchell for the sport. Following her participation in bobsled for Canada at the Milan Cortina Games in February, the 32-year-old from Sherwood Park, Alberta, has returned to cycling at the recently inaugurated Alberta Velodrome in Edmonton. This cycling track, situated within the new $153 million Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre, opened its doors in January and is one of only three 250-meter indoor UCI-sanctioned tracks in Canada.
Another notable velodrome, the Centre National De Cyclisme in Bromont, Quebec, was finalized in 2022. Mitchell, who clinched gold in the women’s Olympic sprint in Tokyo in 2021, initially ventured into the sport through RBC Training Ground without owning a bike four years prior. After a disappointing eighth-place finish in Paris in 2024, Mitchell explored other sports like speedskating before transitioning to bobsleigh due to her powerful leg muscles.
Seeking a better balance and environment, Mitchell returned to track cycling, citing the Edmonton velodrome as a key factor in her decision. The proximity of the hardwood track, just 30 minutes away from her residence in Sherwood Park, enables her to maintain connections with her family and friends, a luxury she missed during her extensive travels over the past seven years.
In addition to reigniting her cycling career, Mitchell has also addressed a long-standing leg issue with a platelet-rich plasma injection and aims to meet the national standard time for inclusion on the Canadian team. Her ultimate goal is to compete in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, potentially becoming a four-time Olympian in a span of seven years. The integration of the Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre with the Peter Hemingway Aquatic Centre has created a hub for both elite and amateur athletes, fostering interest and participation in track cycling among the public.
Mitchell appreciates the facility’s location in Alberta, its altitude advantage for speed, and its role in introducing new audiences to track cycling. She views the growth of velodromes in Canada as a positive sign for the country’s sports landscape, emphasizing the importance of building infrastructure to attract athletes and spectators alike.