Ontario Decathlete Damian Warner Gathers Speed for a Podium Finish at Toronto Pan Am Games

TORONTO, June 4, 2013 /CNW/ - London, Ontario's Damian Warner recently placed first in the men's decathlon at the annual Hypo Meeting in Götzis, Austria, becoming the first Canadian to win the event in nearly twenty years.

Now a decorated, Nike-endorsed decathlete, Damian's pursuit of athletic excellence started in 2007, when his high school basketball coaches took notice of his natural abilities and asked him to try out for a newly created track team. Their mentorship, coupled with his determination, launched him from high-school basketball player to national champion to Olympic competitor in five short years. Ranked 24th in the world entering the London 2012 Olympic Games, Damian was a podium threat for the entire event, ultimately clinching a fifth place finish.

Damian's busy 2013 season will culminate with the World Championships in Athletics being held in Moscow, Russia in August. He will be a hometown favourite at the Pan Am Games in Toronto in 2015, and figures to be a medal contender there and at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016.

About Damian Warner

Damian is a true Canadian success story. He still trains in London, Ontario - often in the neighbourhood where he grew up and with the high school coaches who first noticed his immense potential. Coming from a neighbourhood with a so-called "bad" reputation, Damian has been an inspiration to those in his community, exemplifying pride and demonstrating that with hard work and dedication even those from challenging environments can overcome obstacles to achieve remarkable results.

SOURCE: Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

Damian is available for media interviews and appearances. Interested parties should contact David Goldstein at 416.860.6479/[email protected].