Derek Drouin's high school track and field coach thinks he'll be able to make a smooth transition into decathlon competition.
The 26-year-old high jump champion from Corunna will be competing in a few decathlons this year in hopes of earning a spot on next year's Commonwealth Games team.
Coach Joel Skinner says Drouin's work ethic will allow him to have success.
"He'll always be fit enough and talented enough, he just needs to work on some of the technical parts of the events that he doesn't do very much," says Skinner. "We know he's going to get a lot of points in high jump and hurdles, and he's always been a good 400 metre runner and his endurance will lead him through a good 1,500-metres. The decathletes aren't usually fans of the 1500-metres because it's one of the last events. So, I think he'll have an advantage in a lot of events.
"He's been doing the decathlon, the heptathlon, and pentathlon since high school, and I guess it hasn't been mainstream news because he's been so successful in high jump. In no way is he thinking of getting rid of his biggest event, he's just testing out the waters to prepare for the Commonwealth Games."
Drouin has had success in every level of high jump, including winning gold medals at the Rio Olympics, and Commonwealth, and Pan American Games.
He's going to compete in high jump in the Millrose Games in New York City this weekend (February 11) before heading to Australia for a multi-events camp. He'll then take part in a decathlon in Santa Barbara, California in April.
Skinner will be accompanying Derek to Australia along with his sister Jillian who is one of Canada's best heptathletes.
The ten event decathlon includes 100, 400, and 1500 metre races, long jump, shot put, high jump, 110-metre hurdles, discus, pole vault, and javelin.
