Michael Roberston
Michael Robertson was raised alongside his brother Ryan by parents Peter and Joan Robertson in Williamstown. His athleticism and natural speed combined with a rigorous training program saw him rise to become a top Canadian sprinter excelling in the 200m, 400m, 4x100m and 4x400 track events. His breakthrough came in 2006, when he represented Team Ontario at the Canadian Legion Championships in British Columbia. Top finishes at this meet, earned Michael the title of the fastest 18 year old in Canada winning both gold in the 200m and 400m events.
Michael attended Char Lan District High School, and he was fortunate to be trained by teacher/coach Rory Blackadder. During his high school years Michael’s sprinting success qualified him to compete at the Regionals, EOSSA and OFFSA levels. Competition was tough at the all Ontario level and Michael recalls always reuniting in the starter blocks against two older rival sprinters from the province. He captured double silver and double bronze medals at his OFFSA track meets. Michael graduated from Char Lan in 2007 and made the decision to attend the University of Ottawa so he could pursue his training with the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club. As a high performance athlete he trained full time with the club, and with his coach of 10 plus years, Canadian Olympic Gold medalist Glenroy Gilbert. Michael ran with the university’s track club and was recognized as its Athlete of the Year in 2012. When running relays, Michael ran the anchor leg of the relay races and 10 years later his Ottawa U team still holds the Canadian Usport record in the 4x200m relay.
Michael represented Canada a total of 13 times over his 10 year track career, including: World Juniors 2008 in Bydgoszcz, Poland, NACAC 2010 Miramar, Florida, 3x Penn relays 2011,2013, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2x World Relays 2014, 2015 Nassau, Bahamas, 3x FISU World Student Games in Lebanon 2009, China 2011, Russia 2013, winning a gold medal in the 4x400m in Russia, Commonwealth Games 2014 in Glasgow Scotland and 2x Pan American Games in Mexico 2011 and Toronto 2015.
In 2014, a highlight of his career included walking in to the Commonwealth Stadium in Scotland and racing alongside the Olympic champion Kirani James in the 400m event. James finished first in his heat with Michael finishing a close second, advancing them both to the semi finals. Michael’s personal best time for the 400m is 46.2 seconds. At the time that Michael was competing, an Olympic time for the 400m was 45.9 seconds.
Michael is a champion and a multi-time medalist as a result of his determination and his inner drive to work and train harder than everyone else. He credits his family and friends for their unwavering support and the Glengarry community for supporting him throughout his track career. Michael holds a Masters degree Human Kinetics and a Bachelor of Education. He currently resides in Ottawa and teaches with the Ottawa Catholic School Board.
