In August of 2022 I got the opportunity to run for Team Canada at the World Athletics Championships in Cali, Colombia. Nothing can truly prepare you for the emotions and level of pressure that arise when running on the World stage.

To recap my season leading up to Worlds, it started in a place of uncertainty, competing through injury in cross country and missing all of the indoor season. My coach Paula Schnurr and I were just looking for some consistency. However, at the beginning of the season we had the U20 Worlds team in mind. The pandemic halted a lot of racing so we new my personal bests were not a reflection of my fitness. At the OFSAA track & field championships is where I hit both of the U20 Worlds standards. Representing my high school, Appleby College, running 3:46.85 and 1:50.63 in the 1500m and 800m to win gold in both events. In meets following OFSAA I furthered my personal bests to 3:44.73 and 1:48.99. Following those races and the conclusion of the qualification period, I had a good feeling I would make the team. Although, when that email finally hit my inbox saying “you have been selected to compete in the Men’s 800m on the National Team for the upcoming World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia” it finally occurred to me. Goosebumps forming on my skin, butterflies to my stomach, following a wave of excitement and joy. A feeling of achieving a lifelong dream of representing my country and all the work finally succumbing to something objectively notable was a profound feeling.

I was feeling the wear and tear of a long season but strung together good and consistent workouts leading up to Worlds. The travel was long and chaotic but a good bonding experience with the other Team Canada athletes, meeting some of the other countries competitors along the way. Upon arrival we all did a little shake out after a full day of travel. The longest part of the trip was the days leading up to competition. We got there a couple days before the official start of the championships and I didn’t compete until the 2nd day, meaning I had to do a workout and some base runs in Cali to make sure I was prepped. The team bonded over some of the unfortunate circumstances throughout the trip. The training track, where we could workout, pre meet and get ready for competition had no track surface on it. It was just asphalt. We were limited to about 150m of track surface for all of the countries. It was sort of a disaster, but we made the best of it and were all positive. The hotel food was something else we bonded over. The first day we were all pretty satisfied, thinking the food wasn’t that bad. Now it wasn’t all that bad but having the same food everyday for over a week is not ideal. The salty chicken was a daily staple with an arrange of interesting sauces. At night we often played cards and got to know each other better.

The day finally came. The night before my race I went over strategy with the team Canada coach and talked to Paula for her thoughts. The experience was surreal. My warm up was normal and I was feeling pretty good. The new thing I experienced was having to get to the call room about 30 minutes early. Then being taken in a van from the practice facility to the stadium. We were then held in the call room in the stadium for a while. With my heart rapidly beating and myself pacing around it was getting super real. We eventually got ushered out to the entrance to the track. A big opening, taking you to a colosseum like stadium filled with people. Now it was a track meet so it was not totally full but you get the point. A lot of people. A lot of eyes. Thinking the eyes are all on me I try and just stay in the moment. We ran out and it was loud. We got to do some strides and then we were introduced. “That’s Riley Flemington of Canada, sub 1:49 performer.” Once the gun went off I felt a little lost. I got out a little conservative and didn’t put myself in the greatest spot. We get out relatively slow, 54-55, and then it really started picking up. On the back stretch I got caught on the inside, having nowhere to build my momentum. Having to cut to the outside to stay out of traffic the last 200 I was running in lane 3 trying my best to get a jump on guys, however, everyone had comparable or better leg speed inching away from me. Running in rounds is very strategical. I came 5th in my heat and just missed out on a spot in the semi finals. This was an eye opening experience. Gut wrenching, although a lesson learned. Coming 38th in the World for U20s was not what I was hoping for but leaves me with plenty of room to grow.

A bitter sweet outcome for my individual event, the 800m. However, my Worlds racing wasn’t done just yet. I got the opportunity to run the prelims of the 4x400m relay. With my individual event being done I was eager to get back out there and prove myself. I was put as the second leg on the 4×4 in the prelims. This experience was a little different. I had been through the call room and knew what to expect. I also had people relying on me. As the baton approached I felt ready to go. I grabbed it and stormed off. It was weird as I received it in first. Running a strong curve I held off guys until 250 to go and put us into third. As I’m not a 400m runner my performance was solid and good enough to help us move through to the finals. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to run the final as there were guys with fresher legs. Watching from the stands I cheered on the guys and was hoping for the best. We got out good with a strong leg from Chris Morales-Williams, the third and fourth leg guys held on and kept our position. Going in to the final leg we were in third. I was holding my breath so excited for the possibility of us medalling. With an unreal anchor by Will Floyd we came out with a bronze medal. Since I ran the prelims I received a bronze medal as well. One of the guys was also unable to make it to the podium so they had me step in for him. Being on a podium on the World stage, crowd roaring, fellow countrymen cheering you on was an experience I’ll never forget.

On the last day, when the competition had concluded we finally got to see more of Cali. We went up to the Cristo Rey monument in Cali. A big statue of Jesus made of quartz. We got to purchase some souvenirs and walk around, exploring as a group. I will never forget that trip and take it as a stepping stone in my journey of making more Canadian teams and ultimately the olympics.