Births on January 15

Dylan Armstrong, Canadian shot putter and hammer thrower

Dylan Armstrong: A Pillar of Canadian Shot Put Excellence

Dylan Armstrong, born on January 15, 1981, stands as one of Canada's most distinguished athletes in the field of track and field, specifically celebrated for his formidable strength and precision in the shot put. Hailing from Kamloops, British Columbia, Armstrong has forged a remarkable career, leaving an indelible mark on Canadian sports history with a collection of prestigious titles and records.

A Decorated Career: Global and Continental Triumphs

Armstrong's career is highlighted by an impressive array of medals from major international competitions, showcasing his consistent performance at the highest levels:

• Pan American Games Champion: He achieved this distinction twice, securing gold medals at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and again at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. These victories underscore his dominance across the Americas.
• Commonwealth Games Champion: Armstrong claimed the gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in Delhi, India, further solidifying his status as a leading shot putter within the Commonwealth nations.
• World Championship Medallist: His prowess on the global stage was further confirmed with two World Championship medals. He earned a bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Germany, and later upgraded to a silver medal at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. These achievements demonstrated his consistent ability to compete and succeed against the world's elite throwers.

Olympic Journey and Retrospective Medal Allocation

Perhaps one of the most significant and retrospectively dramatic moments of Armstrong's career involved the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Initially finishing fourth, just outside the medal positions, Armstrong's Olympic fate took a significant turn seven years later. In 2015, following rigorous re-analysis of samples by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as part of their enhanced anti-doping efforts, Belarusian competitor Andrei Mikhnevich was disqualified due to a doping violation. Mikhnevich's results from August 2005 onwards, including his bronze medal from Beijing 2008, were annulled after he was found to have violated anti-doping rules for a second time. Consequently, Dylan Armstrong was officially upgraded and awarded the bronze medal, a testament to his clean performance and the sport's ongoing commitment to integrity, albeit a delayed recognition of his Olympic achievement.

Setting Records: Canadian and Pan American Benchmarks

Dylan Armstrong has also left his indelible mark in the record books:

• Canadian National Record: He holds the standing Canadian national record in the shot put with a phenomenal throw of 22.21 meters (approximately 72 feet 10 inches), a personal best he achieved on May 25, 2011, in Kamloops, British Columbia. This record firmly establishes him as the greatest Canadian shot putter of all time.
• Pan American Games Record: His winning throw of 21.30 meters at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara also stands as the Pan American Games record, showcasing his peak performance at that event.
• Former Commonwealth Games Record Holder: While he no longer holds it, Armstrong also previously held the Commonwealth Games record with his gold-medal-winning throw of 21.03 meters at the 2010 Delhi Games, a significant mark that highlighted his dominance at the time.

A Pioneer in Canadian Athletics

With his historic world championship medals, Dylan Armstrong carved out a unique place in Canadian sports history. He became the first Canadian athlete to reach the podium in any throwing event (which includes shot put, discus, javelin, and hammer throw) at a major global competition, such as the World Championships or the Olympic Games. This groundbreaking achievement broke a long-standing drought for Canada in the throwing disciplines on the international stage and served as a significant source of inspiration for future generations of Canadian track and field athletes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dylan Armstrong

When was Dylan Armstrong awarded his 2008 Olympic bronze medal?

Dylan Armstrong was officially awarded his bronze medal for the 2008 Summer Olympics seven years after the event, in 2015, following the doping disqualification of another competitor.

What national records does Dylan Armstrong hold?

Dylan Armstrong currently holds the Canadian national record for shot put with a distance of 22.21 meters, and he also holds the Pan American Games record with a throw of 21.30 meters from the 2011 Games.

Why is Dylan Armstrong considered a significant figure in Canadian track and field?

Dylan Armstrong is considered a significant figure because he was the first Canadian to win a medal in a throwing event at a major global competition (like the World Championships or Olympics), breaking a long-standing dry spell for Canada in these disciplines.