McGill doubles down on track & field cuts despite overwhelming opposition
On Friday morning, the petition to save the school's varsity track program reached 10,000 signatures
C/O Will Sanders
In the seven days since McGill University announced its decision to cut 25 clubs and teams for the 2026-27 school year–including its 125-year-old track and field program–the opposition has grown. As of Friday morning, the petition to reinstate the program has drawn more than 10,000 signatures, as well as support from Athletics Canada, Olympic champions Andre De Grasse and Bruny Surin and many other influential voices in Canadian track and field. But despite these protests, McGill is holding firm on its decision to eliminate the program.
On Thursday evening, the school’s provost and executive vice-president, Christopher Manfredi, sent an email to student athletes to reaffirm the university’s stance.
“I write today to affirm that the decision to reduce the size of McGill’s competitive sports programming by discontinuing some teams next year was difficult but necessary. This will allow us to create more space for recreational sport, while sustaining excellent varsity programming at McGill. Expanding recreational opportunities means more students can benefit from the physical, social, and mental health advantages that sport provides. We know how central sport is to student life, and we have a responsibility to provide high-quality services and facilities for all students who help fund them.”
McGill maintains that the decision was made “principled and thoughtfully,” citing years of review and two independent assessments that concluded the current structure was unsustainable.
Athletics Canada expresses strong disapproval
On Thursday, Canada’s track and field governing body issued a sharp response to the cuts in an Instagram statement.
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“Athletics Canada is extremely disappointed and dismayed by the decision of McGill University to cut its track and field program in 2026,” the statement reads. “The impact is beyond one university program. It affects all Canadian track and field, athlete development and access to top-level competition and training facilities in Quebec and across the country. With one of only three indoor banked tracks in Canada, this decision takes away opportunities from athletes all over the country.
“We strongly urge the university to review this decision–Athletics Quebec and Athletics Canada are willing partners to sit down with the university and help find solutions to reinstate the program.”
In a CBC News article, U Sports CEO Pierre Arsenault called the situation “unfortunate,” but added, “We understand that whenever an institution makes choices like this, it’s because that’s down to the options that they had, that ultimately there weren’t other viable options.”
Olympic champions join the protest
Seven-time Olympic medallist Andre De Grasse spoke out on LinkedIn. “Woke up to this sad news,” he wrote. “Really frustrated for the entire team, the coaches and all the alumni of the McGill University Track & Field program.”
On Facebook, Canadian Olympic Hall of Famer and 1996 4x100m Olympic champion Bruny Surin shared his own concerns. “To make such a decision without consulting with athletes, alumni, coaches or stakeholders is extremely concerning,” he wrote. In an interview with local media, Surin called the situation a “nightmare.”
Canadian track Olympians Briana Scott and Mariam Abdul-Rashid added their names in the petition’s comment section, joining a growing list of athletes calling for McGill to reverse the decision.
