Andre De Grasse joined an elite list alongside Usain Bolt as he received the Order of Canada honor for his prominence on and off the track and expressed his thoughts on the major recognition. The 30-year-old competed at the World Championships this year, participating in the 100 m, 200 m, and relay events. De Grasse has put Canada on the map, bringing home laurels and recognition that no track and field athlete from the country has ever achieved.
Andre De Grasse Pens a Note of Gratitude After Receiving Top Honor
De Grasse, who has amassed seven Olympic medals in his career, was honored with the Order of Ontario in 2023 in recognition of his significant contributions to youth empowerment and his personal athletic achievements. In 2025, he earned the country’s highest civilian honor, the Order of Canada, which came as a surprise to him as he remains active in his track career.
On receiving the major recognition, he joined the elite featuring Bolt, who received the Order of Jamaica in 2009, becoming the youngest recipient at 23. The distinction acknowledged his pathbreaking achievements, bringing huge pride to his Caribbean homeland.
De Grasse shared the news on his Instagram handle and reflected on his journey, emphasizing that it has never been defined by medals alone, but by a purpose to inspire and empower younger generations. He said that the honors he has received will only motivate him to do more for his nation. He wrote:
“Being named to the Order of Ontario, and now to the Order of Canada, is meaningful recognition of my work toward that mission. I’m motivated by these honours to continue making Canadians proud through my work on and off the track!!”
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De Grasse was a force to be reckoned with at the Florida Relays, winning the 200m gold and helping the relay team to the top finish. He was also part of the Grand Slam Track and the World Athletics Relay in 2025.
How Did Andre De Grasse Perform in the 2024 Paris Olympics?
De Grasse was the co-flagbearer for Canada in the Olympic opening ceremonies, but failed to make a significant mark in the individual events. In the 100m, he competed in the heats but finished outside the top positions in the semifinals, thus missing the finals. He didn’t qualify for the 200m either, marking the first Games edition where he didn’t make it to an individual final.
After back-to-back upsets, the 30-year-old anchored the men’s 4x100m relay team to victory, as the US team got disqualified for a baton botch. It was the nation’s first relay gold since 1996.
