Two-time Olympian Sage Watson on the family ranch west of Medicine Hat on Aug. 2, 2023. (Photo Courtesy Kevin Kyle)

By Chris Brown

Rehabbing from hip surgery, Sage Watson running for third Olympics in 2024

Aug 2, 2023 | 3:51 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Eight weeks ago Sage Watson went under the knife in Toronto. Twelve months from now she wants to be on track and field’s biggest stage in Paris.

“The past two years I’ve actually been dealing with an injury and in June I just had my labral hip surgery and so I’ve been dealing and recovering from that in hopes to get ready for the 2024 Olympic Games,” Watson said on Wednesday.

The two-time Canadian Olympian led the Stampede parade as the honourary parade marshal last week and this week is continuing her recovery and rehab on the family ranch just west of Medicine Hat.

The surgery was a long-time coming for the hurdler who competed in the 2016 Rio and 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She was part of Team Canada’s women’s 4×400 metre relay team that placed fourth and reached the semifinal in the 400m hurdles both years. She also medalled twice at the Pan-American Games in 2019 winning gold in the individual 400m hurdles and silver in the 4×400 metre relay.

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She dealt with hip pain for years before the labral tear was finally diagnosed this spring. Watson said the tear wasn’t found with a regular MRI and had to be found with a dye injection. She’s been documenting her surgery and rehab on her Instagram account.

Watson, who said it was an honour to lead the Stampede parade and thanks the entire community for their support over the years, said her recovery is ahead of the typical schedule.

“They say that you can start walking after six weeks but I was able to start walking after three weeks and that’s just because I’m younger getting a hip repair than most people and also because being an athlete my body’s very active,” she said.

As well as having an eye on next year’s Olympics she’s also looking ahead to the world championships in 2025 in Tokyo.

Watson isn’t one to sit idle. She hasn’t slowed down during her time off the track, refocusing her time and energy.

She got certified as a physical trainer and nutrition coach and started her own wellness company Sage Watson Wellness. She’s found joy in helping others achieve their nutrition and training goals.

“I’ve really been able to help others go after their goals and dreams and it’s felt really rewarding to do that,” she said. “So I pretty much work with anyone from younger athletes to people just looking to lose some weight and getting in shape or just people who look to increase their ability in running — who want to do more road races or do some track events even at an older age. So it’s been a lot of fun to work with individuals and coach others towards their goals.”

In other off-track excitement for Watson, she’s getting married this September to two-time U.S. Olympian world champion pole vaulter Brad Walker.