The cheering was loud in Borden, Sask., on Tuesday as Savannah Sutherland raced herself one step closer to winning an Olympic medal. Watching on a pull-down projector screen at the Borden Community Centre, the 21-year-old athlete's family, friends and neighbours gasped and clapped as she competed in a 400-metre hurdles semi-final in Paris.
After Sutherland finished with a time of 53.80 seconds and secured her spot in Thursday's Olympic finals, her aunt Sheri Sutherland had a hard time catching her breath. "My heart's just pounding out of my chest right now," she said.
"I can't describe it. It's just amazing." WATCH | Borden, Sask.
, gathers to watch hometown hurdler Savannah Sutherland compete in Paris Olympics: Borden, Sask., gathers to watch hometown hurdler Savannah Sutherland compete in Paris Olympics 1 hour ago Duration 1:54 The community hall in Borden, Sask., was packed on Tuesday for local hurdler Savannah Sutherland's semifinal race in the 400-metre hurdles at the Paris Olympics.
Sutherland qualified for Thursday's final. A few metres away, Borden Mayor Jamie Brandrick was asked how he was feeling post-race. "Jubilant," he replied.
Savannah Sutherland was born in Borden, a community of about 300 people located a bit more than 50 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. She lived there into her teenage years before moving to Saskatoon to complete high school and continue her training. Sutherland, who is the current Canadian record-holder in the indoor and outdoor 400-metre h.