Grégory Michel: from hurdles in Guadeloupe to the Vert et Or

When Grégory Michel hits the track, all eyes are on him. In just one season with Université de Sherbrooke's Vert et Or, the Guadeloupe native has established himself as one of the newest stars in Canadian university track and field. U SPORTS champion in the 60 m hurdles, university record-holder, and tax law student, his journey is one in which passion, perseverance and athletic identity intertwine.

Michel grew up in a family where sport was a central focus. 

"I started at six years old," he says.

"It came naturally because my father and my cousins were also track and field athletes."

His father, a 56-year-old marathon runner who keeps active, was his first role model.

"It's clear that ever since I was a child, he was my role model and he showed me a thing or two about the sport."

When he started off, Michel was drawn to middle distances, from 400 m to 800 m. The move to hurdles came later, almost accidentally.

"Until I was 18, I was racing middle distances... When I got to Quebec in 2018, my coaches directed me towards hurdles."

The decision to move to Canada was academically motivated.

"Coming here was a choice for my studies mainly. I'm from Guadeloupe. I had two options: go to France or go to Canada. My sister was already here, so it was easier for my parents."

So Michel arrived in Chicoutimi, where he completed a diploma in physiotherapy before pursuing tax law in university. It was coach Luc Lafrance who convinced Michel to make the jump to Sherbrooke in the fall of 2022.

"At first, I was still working remotely with my coaches in Chicoutimi. However, after the first year, it became a bit difficult. I contacted Luc and we started working together."

The result surpassed his expectations: a first university season marked by a national title and a record.

"It was just an incredible year. I beat the university's record."

At the U SPORTS Championship, Michel won gold in the 60 m hurdles.

"In terms of fans and enthusiasm, it was just really incredible. After the race, just wow... like the pressure was gone."

Wearing Sherbrooke's colours goes beyond putting on a jersey.

"It was really incredible to be able to represent the university, especially to be able to get this medal for the team. We have a great organization who put everything in place so that we could come in ready to compete."

Michel says his ultimate goal is to one day qualify for the Olympics.

To those who look to follow in his footsteps, Michel preaches perseverance: "It won't be easy at the start... But with work and determination, we can get there."