A new velodrome in Edmonton has reignited Olympic track cycling champion Kelsey Mitchell’s passion for the sport. Mitchell, hailing from Sherwood Park, Alberta, recently returned to cycling at the newly opened Alberta Velodrome located at the Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre, which cost $153 million to build. This velodrome is one of only three 250-meter indoor UCI-sanctioned tracks in Canada, with the other two being in Milton, Ontario, and Bromont, Quebec.
Mitchell, who clinched gold in women’s Olympic sprint in Tokyo in 2021, was initially drawn into cycling through RBC Training Ground four years prior when she didn’t even own a bike. After placing eighth in Paris in 2024, Mitchell felt mentally and physically exhausted but was determined to continue her athletic career. She briefly tried speedskating before transitioning to bobsleigh, where she competed in the recent Milan Cortina Games, finishing 13th in the women’s event with pilot Melissa Lotholz.
Upon her return to track cycling, Mitchell sought a better work-life balance and found solace in the Edmonton velodrome, where she trains three days a week on the hardwood track, conveniently located 30 minutes from her home in Sherwood Park. The proximity to family and friends has been a significant factor in her decision to return to the sport, as she cherishes being able to spend time with loved ones after years of being away.
Mitchell also underwent a PRP injection to address a lingering issue in her left leg following the Winter Olympics. She aims to achieve a national standard time by August 31 to secure a spot on the Canadian team. Looking ahead, Mitchell envisions competing in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, which would mark her fourth Olympic appearance in seven years.
The Coronation Park Sports and Recreation Centre, where the velodrome is housed, has become a hub for both elite and recreational athletes, a feature that Mitchell appreciates. She is enthusiastic about the facility’s role in introducing track cycling to the public and fostering a love for the sport in Canada. Mitchell credits the growth of velodromes in the country as a positive sign for the future of sports, highlighting the importance of building infrastructure to attract athletes and spectators alike.