Media Room
Press ReleasesMay 10, 2007
The Search For Future Sprinting Stars Begins In Lower Mainland Elementary Schools
VANCOUVER - The ActNow BC Jerome Talent Search is seeking to find the next Valerie and Harry Jerome in the 24th annual Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic on June 8.
ActNow BC is this year's title sponsor for the Jerome Talent Search. It is the provincial government's health and wellness initiative that promotes healthy living choices to improve the quality of life for all British Columbians. The focus of physical activity for children is a key component of this initiative.
"ActNow BC is encouraging youth to be active, to make every move a good move," said Gordon Hogg, Minister of State for ActNow BC. "The ActNow BC Jerome Talent Search is one way to spark enthusiasm for sport and at the same time remind youth of simple ways to stay active. A pair of shoes and motivation is all you need to move your feet."
The Achilles Track and Field Society, organizer of the annual Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic, unveiled today an exciting new program to identify and inspire British Columbia's youth to get active. Seeking Harry, Seeking Valerie - The ActNow BC Jerome Talent Search will find the next great sprinter in our midst from among thousands of elementary school hopefuls.
In 1959, 18-year-old Harry Jerome and his 15-year-old sister, Valerie, dominated the sprint events at the Canadian track and field championships, with Harry winning the 100 and 200 metres and Valerie winning the 60 metres, 100 metres and the long jump. These remarkable role models and mentors went on to represent Canada in Olympic, Pan-American and Commonwealth Games competition.
The Jerome Talent Search, managed for Achilles by former Albanian Track and Field Federation coach Besnik Mece, will culminate in 128 young athletes representing 32 Lower Mainland elementary school teams in relay finals at the 24th annual Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic, slated for June 8 at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium. The program may be of particular benefit to youth who are keen to take part in sport but cannot participate in expensive programs such as hockey or swimming.
Each participating school will have its own qualifying event to field the best four sprinters in two divisions - Grades 4&5 and Grades 6&7 for boys and girls. From among these teams eight squads of four youngsters will qualify to compete in four 4x100-metre finals at the June 8 Jerome meet, featuring the Pacific World Cup: Canada vs. China-Fujian.
Valerie Jerome, who for many years has served the B.C. track and field community as a coach and an official, remembers well the positive impact sport had on her life. Taking part in the ActNow BC Jerome Talent Search may well introduce many youngsters to the positive lessons and experiences that sport can offer, in addition to perhaps starting them to pursue a more active lifestyle and their own athletic dreams and goals.
"There were no community sports teams and girls' soccer and baseball were still a few decades away," recalls Valerie. "But in junior high I was able to join the track team and here I truly found bliss. I ran, jumped, and even threw the shot. I loved it all - the movement, the belonging and the regimen of practices."
Sport BC also has a program to help youngsters identified in the Jerome Talent Search as needing financial assistance to continue their involvement in athletics. KidSport will assist young people with needs to have further training and coaching in Lower Mainland track and field clubs through this coming summer.
Harry Jerome established six world sprint records and earned a bronze medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics as part of his remarkable athletic career. He remained a mentor and inspiration for Canadians and his work in sport included developing the B.C. Premier's Sport Awards Program to encourage young people to become active and to strive for their own athletic dreams. He passed away suddenly in 1982 but his legacy of athletic excellence and commitment to youth and sport remain pillars of motivation and inspiration today.
A key goal for ActNow BC is to lead the way in healthy living and physical fitness and make British Columbian the healthiest region ever to host an Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. For more information on ActNow BC visit www.actnowbc.gov.bc.ca.
Trish Fougner, Public Affairs Bureau, (250) 356-9814 or (250) 920-8542 cell
The 24th annual Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic is part of the PacifiCanada Track and Field Series (http://www.pacificanada.ca). The series serves to provide international and Olympic level competition for track and field athletes.
For meet media inquiries contact:
Diane Clement
dclement00@hotmail.com or (604) 261-6220
For athlete information contact:
Marek Jedrezejek
marekj@interchange.ubc.ca or (604) 822-6259
or
Doug Clement
dclement00@hotmail.com
