Track Cycling Olympic Gold Medalist’s Vegreville Connection

Track Cycling Olympic Gold Medalist’s Vegreville Connection

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Even though Kelsey Mitchell’s family couldn’t be in the stands during gold medal performance in women’s individual sprint cycling at the Olympics in Tokyo, they were cheering her on during a special watch party in Sherwood Park on August 8.

One of her biggest fans at the watch party was none other than her grandmother Joan Toronchuk who resides in Vegreville. “Everyone was cheering, crying and laughing. It was so beautiful.”

In turn, Kelsey was able to watch her grandmother’s reaction alongside other immediate family members trackside as it was broadcast live. It was a perfect moment, and Kelsey said she was so grateful for all of their support.

Kelsey said her grandmother always tells her she’s praying for her and not to fall. Kelsey said she was fortunate to have her grandmother watch her compete during the World Cup in Milton, Ontario in January of 2020 when she won gold and silver medals in the team sprint and women’s individual sprint respectively.

Joan Toronchuk with her granddaughter Kelsey Mitchell

(Mitchell Family/Submitted Photo)

Her biggest high, however, was yet to come. “It was amazing to stand on the top step,” said Kelsey. “My boyfriend is on the team competing and he was there to congratulate me.”

Kelsey only took up the sport of cycling four years ago. Kelsey played many different sports growing up, and played soccer at university. “I worked other jobs and knew what life outside sports was like.” That is why she knew she wasn’t through with sports and jumped at the opportunity to participate in the RBC Training Ground event in 2017.

There she was tested and exceed the national standard for track cycling on the watt bike and afterwards was enlisted. She earned a spot on the national team in 2018 and moved to Milton to be where Cycling Canada is based, and to train fulltime.

Kelsey Mitchell warming up.

(Mitchell Family/Submitted Photos)

“We train each day and we push each other to do the best we can.” Four to five days a week she trains at the velodrome, works out in the gym three times a week, and completes one to two road rides a week. While the training is gruelling, Kelsey said it doesn’t feel like work. On the odd occasion where she’s having a bad day or feeling down, she reminds herself how lucky she is to be living her dream.

“It’s only three years till next Olympics.” That’s what she sees on the horizon now and will be working hard to make a repeat performance.

Her advice to the youth of today, “If it’s something you want, go all in, and give it everything you’ve got.”